£117,000 of funding for Creative Projects announced
07 July 2017
Aberdeen City Council has today (Friday 7 July) announced awards totalling £117,000 towards projects as part of its Creative Funding strand.
Following a very competitive application process, 23 individuals and organisations were successful in securing funding including visual arts festivals, music festivals, theatre producers, filmmakers, writers, painters, and a homelessness charity among others.
They were awarded funding between £400 and £13,000 to deliver work over the next year across Aberdeen, bringing £357,000 of projects to fruition in the city.
Councillor Marie Boulton said: “Investing in our cultural sector is important for the city, through the City Centre Masterplan and initiatives like Creative Funding, we’re creating a modern, vibrant city which visitors and residents will enjoy spending time in.
“We’re excited to announce funding for this range of creative projects which not only make Aberdeen a great place to live, but support jobs and businesses in the city.”
Emily Utter, writer, who received funding to attend two creative retreats, said:
“The impact that this award will have on my activity and development is immeasurable: not only has it helped validate the work I am doing, but it has given me a sense of freedom - to be creative and to seek out inspiration and new opportunities.
“It has also boosted my personal resolve to see this project through to completion whilst continuing to grow and evolve as a writer in the process.”
Aberdeen Cyrenians were awarded funds to develop a music project for their service users. Jenna Ingram, Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “Support from Creative Funding has allowed us to expand on our amazing Music Group project for vulnerable service users, which will include group guitar workshops, use of a recording studio for the choir and one-to-one tuition song-writing workshops.
“This service user group may experience issues such as rough sleeping, mental health problems, domestic abuse, substance misuse, social isolation and language barriers. At Music Group sessions, service users, volunteers and staff come together in a safe, friendly environment and find joy and fun in group singing.”
The projects funded through Creative Funding are expected to attract almost 100,000 audience members across a year of activity. Highlights will include a number of festivals for the city such as the visual arts festival Look Again, a new storytelling festival, and a festival of folk music.
A second round of funding is now open for applications; individuals and organisations have until 30 July to apply for up to £15,000 to deliver creative projects or professional development.
More information on Creative Funding, including application forms and guidelines, can be found at http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/community_life_leisure/arts/culture/CreativeFunding.asp