Coronavirus: Shropshire Council provides emergency funding to arts sector
In response to the pandemic, Shropshire Council has provided emergency grant funding to 23 arts organisations, venues and festivals in the county. The funding is supporting a huge amount of high-quality arts activity.
Over the next six months communities from across Shropshire will have the opportunity to get involved in a range of exciting online and digital arts activities. It’s estimated over 23,000 people will benefit, as either participants or audience members.
There is something on offer for everyone. Watch professional performances from the comfort of your own home and in some of the counties outdoor venues; take part in workshops in a range of different art forms; sing; dance; make music; create a film; produce work for online exhibitions; learn a new skill; enrol in an art history course; attend an online festival; gain an Arts Award qualification; try out craft activities; explore our county’s historical collections through creativity; and order free Art Packs for delivery at home.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture, leisure, waste and communications, said:-
“Shropshire is fortunate to have a vibrant arts sector with many very talented creatives and arts organisations calling the county home.
“This funding is vital to the arts sector in Shropshire during this challenging time. The inspiring programmes on offer will keep our communities engaged in arts activity over the coming months and help build up new audiences for the future, which is fantastic.”
The funding will help provide employment opportunities for over 900 local artists, and support organisations to secure investment from other emergency grants, contributing towards the county’s cultural economy.
Jim Creed, Arts Development Officer at Qube in Oswestry, said:-
“As a rural arts charity in one of the top 20% economically deprived areas, our main focus is to break down the barriers our community face in accessing the arts. In this unprecedented time, this emergency grant will be fully utilised to continue this work and make arts and creativity accessible to people in Oswestry and beyond. We really appreciate the support of Shropshire Council.”
For a full list of organisations and festivals who have been awarded funding, and to find out more about the opportunities available and how you can get involved, please click here.
Further information
For further information about arts development, please contact Alexa Pugh on 01743 257734 or email alexa.pugh@shropshire.gov.uk.
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