Local arts projects are to benefit from a £72,000 cash injection over the next two years as Nottinghamshire County Council launches its Arts Grants Aid initiative.

The County Council is inviting applications from groups or individuals interested in running projects to increase participation in the arts in the county.

Financial support, ranging from £2,000 to £5,000 per year for the next two years, is available to individual artists, members of the community, arts organisations or community and voluntary groups.

Applications can be made at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/arts-grant-aid

Funding is available for projects which can demonstrate how they can:
•Increase the number of Nottinghamshire residents benefitting from community arts activities
•Improve the quality of arts for Nottinghamshire residents
•Contribute to the aims of the County Council’s Strategic Plan
•Have in place a minimum of 10% funding from other sources (this can be as money or quantified “in kind” support)
•Involve one or more professional artists
•Provide community involvement at various stages of the scheme
•Have effective governance and management processes in place
•Have a strategy for how the project will continue beyond the funding period and/or leave a lasting legacy

Applications will be particularly welcomed from new projects, those that meet the needs of local people not currently being addressed and at locations or times when there is limited arts provision.

Grants will cover the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2018.

Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, Chairman of the Grant Aid Sub-Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Community arts projects enrich the lives of Nottinghamshire residents and I am delighted that we are able to continue our support for these schemes through the Nottinghamshire Arts Fund.

“The fund is specifically aimed at supporting projects with clear outcomes, such as getting more people to try arts activities, in areas where there is currently little or no provision and where schemes can provide a lasting legacy for the community.

“The arts are a brilliant way of bringing people together from different backgrounds, promoting community cohesion and having fun!

“In previous years we have been able to support a huge range of successful, innovative projects and I am sure there will be no shortage of similarly impressive applications for 2016-18.”

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 8 February 2016. Successful applicants will be confirmed in mid-May.

Further details are available on the website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/arts-grant-aid or by contacting the Community and Voluntary Sector Team at Nottinghamshire County Council on 0115 977 2041.