Andrew Lloyd Webber might be best known for his musicals, but right now it is his foundation’s work that is making all the noise. In its latest round of grants ALWF has given GBP153,000 (€217,300) to education and training programmes across the arts in the UK, taking its total giving since 2010 to almost GBP11m.
Major recipients this time around include Salford’s The Lowry, who has been given GBP25,000 for its Studio Artists Development Programme, and Shakespeare’s Globe, whose education work with secondary school students has been funded to the tune of GBP45,000.
‘From within primary and secondary schools through to post-graduate and professional training, these projects recognise the importance of the artists being equipped with the skills, experiences and support needed for the UK’s creative industry to continue thriving,’ said Webber, who has recently been in the news for his support of tax credit cuts for low income families cuts in the UK.
Five other groups also received funding. Mayor’s Music Fund Orchestra Project, which provides training and career development help for young West London musicians, received GBP15,000, while the Ulster Youth Orchestra got GBP3,000. Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre’s Class Act Project has been given GBP13,000 for secondary school creative writing workshops. Two projects outside the performing arts also benefitted from ALWF grants, with GBP37,000 for the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and GBP15,000 for Bishopsland Educational Trust’s British silversmithing programme.
Earlier this year ALWF funded eight other projects with institutions including National Theatre, Wilton’s Music Hall, National Orchestra for All and Birmingham Rep.
ALWF was originally set up in 1992, and has awarded arts grants to 255 organisations since 2010. More information on the recipients can be found on ALWF’s website.
