Witney News - Arts groups need to get grant applications in

Arts groups need to get grant applications in

Local arts groups and projects seeking financial help through West Oxfordshire District Council’s Support for the Arts grants scheme for 2008/9 have until Friday 15th February to apply.

Grants of between £100 and £1500 can be awarded to groups and organisations aiming to bring benefit to the local community through their arts projects and developments.

Successful applicants can use the money awarded to help meet a variety of costs, from general running fees to setting up workshops or commissioning professionals to help with projects. In bidding for a grant, applicants need to explain how the money would be spent.

In the current financial year, 25 different groups and projects have shared Support for the Arts grants jointly worth over £10,000.

One of these went to the Burford-based Cotswolds Children’s Choir which offers young people aged from seven to 17 the opportunity to sing to a high standard, develop performance skills and get to appreciate and experience a wide variety of musical styles.

“The £375 grant from West Oxfordshire District Council has helped us to maintain our unique contribution to the quality of local children’s lives and to broaden the range of activities offered by the performing arts community in the District,” said Choir Chairman, Ruth Reavley.

Other grants through the scheme during 2007/8 have helped support jazz, acting techniques and dance workshops, an arts group, a youth theatre project, lunch-time music recitals, opera and much more.

Cllr Hilary Biles, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Tourism said, “At West Oxfordshire District Council we are proud to support arts organisations and projects that enrich the lives of residents. Funding groups in this way ties in well with our objective of improving quality of life for everyone who lives here.”

More information about Supports for the Arts grants, including tips on downloading an application form from the Council’s website is available by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 01993 861554/861562.