Local groups and artists in Merton have until 19 May to apply for Merton Council funding of up to £1,500 to help them with a community project.
The Arts Development Fund, available through Merton Council’s arts and leisure team is available to support local people planning to put on an event, exhibition and help groups focused on bringing the arts to Merton residents.
Previous recipients of the grant, Merton Music Foundation, have already benefited from the grant which has enabled them to run an intergenerational project called Backstories. The funding provided the foundation for a series of memory collection events in the summer to mark the 70th anniversary of D Day which everyone living in Merton can take part in. The project ends with a performance next April at the Royal Albert Hall.
Interested groups will need to meet the requirements set out by the arts and development team and are advised to speak to them before applying.
Programmes director at Merton Music Foundation, Soo Bishop said: “Our successful application for the Merton Arts Development Fund was key in helping develop our ‘Backstories’ project. Without it we wouldn’t have been able to make the progress which we are seeing now and I would encourage people who have project ideas to apply for the fund.”
Merton’s director for environment and regeneration, Chris Lee said: “The council encourages all groups and individuals in Merton who are interested in putting together an arts project or event, but who need some funding, to get in touch with our arts team about the development fund. The money can help, as shown with previous entries, to bring communities together who share an interest in the music, heritage and other forms of art.”
To find out more information about the Arts Development Fund, visit www.merton.gov.uk/arts_development_fund or call 020 8545 3399.