Hi °C | Lo °C Communities who want to celebrate Londonderry’s debut as the UK City of Culture next year are being invited to apply for a share of a £1.35m pot.
The Big Lottery Fund and Arts Council of Northern Ireland today are offering grants of up to £10,000 to groups wanting to play a part in the 2013 celebrations.
Community organisations will be able to apply to Culture for All for funding to run arts and culture projects and activities that link in with the historic event, encourage talent and improve the lives of people in communities.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of Culture Company 2013, said: “The announcement of the Culture for All programme is a fantastic development.
“Local people taking ownership is vital to the success of the UK City of Culture 2013.
“This fund will enable communities all across Northern Ireland to create their own cultural programmes and join Derry/Londonderry in this unique opportunity to celebrate, explore and showcase our cultural riches when the spotlight turns to us in 2013.
“I commend The Big Lottery Fund and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for making this funding available to communities.”
Examples of projects that might be funded could include a community group, youth club or primary school, inspired by the City of Culture celebrations, working with local artists, poets or musicians in their communities to make music or create a piece of art celebrating local culture.
Big Lottery Fund NI director, Joanne McDowell, added: “The Big Lottery Fund and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Culture Company 2013, are delighted to be able to play our part in supporting communities across the whole of Northern Ireland to take part in activities during the historic UK City of Culture celebrations in Derry/Londonderry.
“We want to ensure that groups across Northern Ireland can develop and deliver arts and culture projects that link to the celebrations and also benefit the lives of people in their local communities.”
