The creation of a St George’s Day dragon head, a graffiti-style mural and a traditional Ukrainian craft hub are just three of the 19 projects made possible with £34,000 of funding from Fenland District Council . Local artists, museums and festivals have received a share of funding from the Fenland Cultural Fund, which aims to improve art, culture and tradition.
“The first winners received grants of up to £2,000 each to support the development of local talent and deliver a range of cultural projects and activities for people across the borough,” a council spokesperson said. the person in charge said.
“We received some fantastic applications from 42 community groups and individuals representing all parts of the Fenland.
“Due to the high quality and high number of applications, over £11,000 of additional funding has now been made available on top of the original grant of £23,000 to enable us to progress as many projects as possible.”
With funding, photographer Andy Gutteridge will launch a documentary photo exhibition, ‘The Life and Spirit of the Straw Bear’, at Whittlesea Library, celebrating the volunteers who work to preserve the tradition of Whittlesea’s Straw Bear Festival. I was able to do that.
The spokesperson added: “Due to the high quality of the remaining projects that applied for funding, work will be undertaken to guide groups to other opportunities to take their ideas forward where possible.
“They will also be invited to apply for the second round of the Fenland Cultural Fund, which will open later this year.”
The Fenland Cultural Fund was established in October 2023 to increase opportunities for people to access and experience the arts and culture of Fenland, and to support the district’s diverse creative sectors.
The council says it is also supporting the delivery of the district’s creativity and cultural strategy.
The grant scheme is managed by Fenland District Council with funding from the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Arts Council England, and is a partnership project with Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy.
Cllr Chris Seaton, portfolio holder for arts, culture and heritage at Fenland District Council, said: “We are delighted with the level of interest and significant number of applications for the first round of the Fenland Cultural Fund.
“The winners capture the breadth and depth of Fenland’s outstanding culture and reflect growing recognition of the role that arts, culture and heritage can play in Fenland’s vitality and economic prosperity, as well as the health and wellbeing of its communities. doing.
“We would like to express our huge gratitude to everyone who applied and who made the task of deciding which applications to support with funding so difficult. We are very much looking forward to seeing the work progress and hope that the local community can really benefit from it.”
Hazel Edwards, Arts Council England Area Director South East, said: “We are really looking forward to seeing the Fenland Cultural Fund accept its first successful applicants and see what amazing creative works will be produced.
“Arts Council England is very pleased to be able to support the small grants program with £25,000 of our own strategic investment funding.
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“As one of 54 priority locations from across the country, we are always excited to be able to support cultural activities in Fenland through programs like this and ongoing funding programs such as the National Lottery Project Grant. ”
Maureen Davies from Wimbrington Parish Council has successfully applied for funding to commission local artists to paint a graffiti-style mural on the War Memorial Stadium pavilion and toilet blocks, working with young people in the area. We worked together to consider what kind of mural we wanted to paint. look.
NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay said: “The award is a great recognition for the award.Drive creative and cultural offerings to new audiences, increase engagement and strengthen existing talent. ”
of Wisbech & Fenland Museum received a grant to support a program of free public events related to the museum’s summer exhibition “Beasts.” This exhibition focuses on magnificent creatures, both real and imagined, from the museum’s extensive collection.
This event is created in collaboration with young people aged 8 to 19 who participate in the Arts Ambassadors Program, presented by 20TwentyProductions.
local Photographer Andy Gutteridge has received a grant to support the documentary photo exhibition ‘The Life and Spirit of the Straw Bear’, which celebrates the volunteers who work to preserve the tradition of Whittlesea’s Straw Bear Festival.
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Andy’s exhibition opened last month at the start of this year’s three-day festival. It chronicled the preparations leading up to the festival and highlighted the efforts of those who dedicated their time to ensure the event continues to inspire and captivate people around the world.
Whittlesea-born Andy, who lives in Thorney and has been a photographer for over 20 years, said: “I’ve been working as a photographer for over 20 years and now live in Thorney. “I’m probably better known for my sports photography, but for the last few years I’ve been developing documentary photography projects.
With funding, photographer Andy Gutteridge will launch a documentary photo exhibition, ‘The Life and Spirit of the Straw Bear’, at Whittlesea Library, celebrating the volunteers who work to preserve the tradition of Whittlesea’s Straw Bear Festival. I was able to do that.
“When the grant application opportunity was announced by the Council, it became clear that the outcomes of this project were in line with the aims and objectives of the Fenland Cultural Strategy and the Committee was pleased to support this project and award the award. I’m glad I made the decision.”
local Artist Lisa Banks has received a grant to curate a women’s art exhibition at Wisbech Gallery, a new exhibition space at Octavia View, South Brink, Wisbech.
This exhibition celebrates local female artists and features a variety of works. The exhibition is expected to launch in time for International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March.
Lisa said: “I’m delighted to have been selected for the Fenland Cultural Fund grant and can’t wait to put on the exhibition.”
The full list of Fenland Cultural Fund winners is:
- Dance instructor Teighan Liebscher, March-based Teapot Dance Company – To fund the implementation of a new free dance class “You Can Dance” to be offered in primary schools in March for children with additional physical and mental needs. The funding will also be used as a grant to enable children to attend additional dance classes outside of school.
- Sarah Starr, Neil Wade Academy, March – Conduct a student workshop with Mandinga Arts at Neil Wade to create the Dragon’s Head for the St George Festival Parade from March to April 21, 2024.
- Mairead Wright, Longhurst Group – To help deliver Wisbech Through My Eyes, a program that aims to improve people’s well-being by participating in creative activities with others.
- Wisbech Ukraine Community – Supporting the Ukrainian Traditional Crafts Hub.
- Wisbech & Fenland Museum – We will be offering free summer activities related to the museum’s “Beasts” exhibition.
- Robert Bell, Lilian Ream Exhibition Gallery Trust – To support the opening of the Lilian Ream Collection image exhibition ‘Lillian Ream: Faces and Places’ at Wisbech & Fenland Museum from 20 April to 13 July 2024.
- Maureen Davis, Wimbrington Parish Council – Commission local artists to paint graffiti-style murals on the War Memorial Stadium pavilion and toilet blocks, and work with local youth to consider what kind of murals they would like to see.
- Keith Smith, Ferry Project – Supporting the delivery of the International Food and Culture Festival to be held at the Queen Mary Center in Wisbech on 17 February 2024.
- Alan Wheeldon, Friends of Wisbech Park – Commission a local artist to create a large metal apple sculpture to be placed at the heart of the Community Apple Orchard in Wisbech Park.
- Photographer Andy Gutteridge – Supporting the production of a documentary photo exhibition at Whittlesea Library, “The Life and Spirit of the Straw Bear,” celebrating the volunteers who strive to preserve the tradition of Whittlesea’s Straw Bear Festival.
- Godfrey Smith, Fenland Arts Society – We will be running a banner and pennant screen printing workshop at St George’s Festival in March.
- Finn Morrell, Temper Theater – My Home, My Future, a program of creative workshops, collaborative conversations and new show launches, aimed at connecting, empowering and promoting cultural enrichment within the Fenland region ”.
- Artist Lisa Banks – Organizing an exhibition of women’s art at Wisbech Gallery.
- Wisbech Youth Club – To support Creative Youth Reflects, a new initiative that brings together local young people to learn more about important places and objects in Fenland.
- Joanna Melton, Chatteris City Council – Funding new attractions for the Chatteris Midsummer Festival on June 22 and 23, 2024. This includes parades and band appearances at Farrowfields Recreation Ground, the arena’s main attraction.
- blackfield creatives – Improve access to creative resources in Fenland by funding the purchase of equipment to deliver professional art courses to artists across the district.