Apply now for arts fund cash

28th April 2009

Artists and arts groups are invited to apply for a Wandsworth Council grant.

The council has recently reorganised its arts funding system in order to better support and encourage the arts, and has two grant funds available.

The Small Grants Fund supports new initiatives, the extension of an existing arts project or experiments with new work. For example, it could be used to fund a rehearsed reading of a script in development, or a new workshop series.

Individuals can apply for up to £500 and groups can apply for up to £1500. This grant can support up to 70 per cent of project costs. Grants are accepted every other month, and a quick response time makes this an accessible, user-friendly grant scheme.

The Project Grants help groups and organisations deliver or develop high-quality imaginative projects, especially ones that engage with new audiences. It also supports projects that help create long-lasting artistic partnerships and develop new skills. In the next round of funding the council is particularly interested in funding projects with an Olympic theme.

For Project Grants, individuals and organisations can apply for support between £1500 and £4000, and the grant will cover up to half the overall budget. Only one successful application can be made each financial year. Activities must benefit the people of Wandsworth.

In addition to the two arts funds, there is also council money available through the Cultural Wealth Fund, which is open to any voluntary or community organisation that wants to run a suitable project or event, and to film-makers through the annual Film Awards grant funding.

The council has a long-term commitment to encouraging and developing arts and culture and will shortly be publishing a new cultural strategy.

Through its grants scheme it aims to encourage high-quality work, support experimentation, provide opportunities for audiences to appreciate and participate art, and get young people involved. It also wants to support projects that echo the spirit of the national ‘Cultural Olympiad’, which is a four-year programme of cultural events to be held in the run up to the 2012 games.

Wandsworth’s arts spokesman Cllr Paul Ellis said the arts play a vital role in the borough.

“Art has a unique ability to get people involved, encourage a sense of community and belonging and improve people’s lives. We want to help the residents of Wandsworth enjoy and participate in art, and achieve their potential.

“Through this new funding system we hope to support some truly inspirational, original art that will enrich the cultural life of Wandsworth and the people who live here.”

To find out more about how to apply for money from the Small Grants Fund or Project Grants, contact the Arts Team. They will be happy to help you with your application by phone, email or face to face. Call 020 8871 8711 or email arts@wandsworth.gov.uk. The team is also holding open workshops offering support in submitting grant proposals. To find out forthcoming dates or to download application forms go to www.wandsworth.gov.uk/arts.

For more information on the Cultural Wealth Fund, go to www.wandsworth.gov.uk/culturalwealthfund or call 020 8871 6365. Further information about the Film Awards is available at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/film or by calling 020 8871 7119.

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