Art groups are being urged to apply for grants from a £500,000 fund to develop culture in Birmingham…
Birmingham City Council has launched a grant to help art groups and organisations develop their services.
The grants will be split into two streams. The first will focus on developing engagement in the arts by improving engagement for young people and older people. Newly formed groups will be able to apply for grants between £2,000 and £4,000. Established organisations can bid for significantly more, ranging from £20,000 to £100,000.
The second stream will focus on developing and creating opportunities for minority ethnic entrepreneurs. This will be a one off award of £125,000 and will be offered to an established organisation or consortium. This will help support local groups looking to expand their skills and networks. Additionally, a further £25,000 will be awarded to help grow in the future.
Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council Councillor Ian Ward said: “I am delighted that following discussions with local stakeholders about how best to support arts activity in the Newtown and Aston community, Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England are joining together to offer funding for projects in the local area.
“This scheme has the potential to support artists and audiences and to grow organisations for the future, which will diversify the city’s cultural offer and ensure it continues to be relevant to residents.
“I hope this will help build a strong foundation for future arts activity in Aston and Newtown, as well as providing partnership opportunities with other cultural companies, community groups, artists and audiences in the city. I am particularly pleased this will support black and minority ethnic artists, creators and entrepreneurs to develop as cultural leaders in Birmingham.”
Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “The Arts Council’s ambition is to create more opportunities for people to access art and culture in the places they live, which is why we’re working closely with Birmingham City Council on plans to support cultural development in the Aston and Newtown areas of the city.
“This joint funding presents a great opportunity for residents, communities and businesses to come together to be ambitious and creative, shaping the future of art and culture locally.
“It will open up new opportunities that we hope will become a firm foundation for future success, supporting emerging leaders to become established, and giving artists – particularly from black and minority ethnic backgrounds – the investment they need to produce work that can be enjoyed by people in Birmingham and beyond.”
Applications for the funding must be received by 10 October and must demonstrate a 20 per cent contribution from other sources.
For full details on the criteria necessary to bid for the grants can be found here: http://birminghamculture.org/culture-on-our-doorstep/aston-and-newtown-arts-commissioning-201618
