Derbyshire arts boost
Groups which bring entertainment and the arts to communities are celebrating after Derbyshire County Council awarded grants to many exciting projects.
A total of £21,900 will help support a range of cultural events across the county including a dance project for children to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and a free concert to mark the 200th birthday of a local band.
The grants are designed to support the creative economy, help Derbyshire arts organisations thrive and develop new audiences, particularly in rural areas.
Derbyshire County Council leader and cabinet member for culture Councillor Andrew Lewer said: "This year's applications have come from a diverse range of groups, all of whom play a vital role in promoting the arts.
"Derbyshire has a thriving arts scene and I am happy to be able to support the good work they do and we hope lots of people across Derbyshire benefit."
The following 12 groups will benefit from small arts grants:
Aurora A Cappella in Dronfield − £1,000 towards a £5,477 project
The cash will help the choir to buy staging equipment so they can perform at more venues than they do now. This women's choir in Chesterfield and north east Derbyshire has more than 80 members.Chapel-en-le-Frith Male Voice Choir − £1,000 towards a £3,130 project
The money will help support three concerts in deprived areas of the High Peak (locations yet to be decided).
The grant will help new members on benefits to pay for music and uniforms.Clay Cross Writers' Group − £1,000.
The money will pay the fees for professional writers to run creative writing workshops.Creswell Junior School − £1,000 towards a £1,600 project.
The cash boost will help the school to write and perform a six-piece song cycle about Derbyshire architect George Widdows in celebration of the school's centenary.
This work will involve staff, current and former pupils, and the local community.Derbyshire Open Spaces − £1,000.
This project will see contemporary works placed in locations across Derbyshire to run alongside Derbyshire Open Arts over Jubilee weekend.
They will be at Cromford Mill, Derbyshire Eco Centre, Willersley Castle, Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath, Hartington Hall, All Saints Church in Bakewell and the Monsal Head Viaduct.
Freehand Writers' Group in Brampton − £950 towards a £1,212 project.
The money will help the group work with a professional writer to produce and publish an anthology.
Handmade Movement in South Wingfield and Crich − £1,000.
This cash boost will help the group to produce a dance project for children to celebrate the Jubilee later this year.
New Mills Band 1812 − £900 towards a £1,800 project.
This money will help fund a free concert in High Lea Park in New Mills on 30 June to celebrate 200 years of the band.
Wirksworth WordMiners − £600 towards a £930 project.
The grant will help them to work with two professional poets to produce an anthology of poems.
Belper Short Play Festival will receive £1,000.
Jagged Fence productions will receive £1,000 for the Wirksworth Festival.
Steampunks in the Bath, at Matlock Bath, will get £1,000.
In addition, arts festival grants will be handed over for the following six festivals:
Bakewell International Day of Dance − £2,000.
Barlow Proms − £2,000.
Bolsover Olympic Festival − £2,000.
Holymoorside and Walton Arts Festival − £500.
Stainsby Festival − £2,000.
Whitwell Festival of Music − £1,950.
Groups can apply for a small arts grant if they satisfy certain criteria.
To find out more and to download an application form go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/arts_entertainment/arts_development/grants (opens in a new window) or call our arts team on 01773 831385.