Our latest roundup of the month’s funding news in the performing arts:
Fund-Finder, a new guidebook for finding performing arts funding in Europe, has been launched by IETM (the international network for the performing arts). The 45-page publication is free to download from ITEM’s website, and provides a detailed overview of local, regional and national public and private funding opportunities within Europe and beyond. Fund-Finder lists the objectives of specific funds, and gives examples of successful projects as well as links to resources and information relevant to funding bids. The publication is coordinated by On The Move, IETM’s cultural mobility information network, and draws together all of IETM’s funding know-how from across the network. Fund-Finder can be found in the publications section at ietm.org
A new bill put before the Berlin Senate would increase cultural funding in the city by seven per cent in 2016, and a further 10.5 per cent the following year. The proposal would see a total increase of €81.5m, although this could rise to as much as €88.5m once increases in city tax collection are taken into account. The funding increases have majority support – and are popular in an election year for the Berlin Senate – although there was some opposition from finance minister Matthias Kollatz-Ahnen. The proposed bill will now go before the culture commission for debate and possible amendments in August.
A total of over GBP1.8m (€2.5m) has been distributed among eight UK arts organisations and projects in the latest round of Arts Council England’s strategic touring programme. The scheme targets areas of the country with low art engagement, particularly deprived urban areas and isolated rural communities. Among the successful projects this time were The Mansio, CORNERS, and a new diverse dance project from Blaize Community Arts (pictured above). The Mansio is a partnership between Hexham Book Festival and Arts&Heritage, and will deliver literary workshops and activities at seven historic sites along Hadrian’s wall; CORNERS, by Isis Arts, will tour eight international productions around South East Northumberland and Middlesbrough. Blaize, meanwhile, will be partnering with Balbir Singh Dance Company to bring a diverse dance programme to rural audiences in the north of England. The projects received GBP187,144, GBP99,780 and GBP118,255 respectively. More details and a full list of successful applicants from this and the previous 11 rounds of the programme can be found on the Arts Council England website artscouncil.org.uk
The Republic Bank of Guyana has made a donation of GYD1.3m (€5,750) to the The Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Camps 2015 programme. The camps are designed to teach pan playing and music rudiments to young students including scales and drills, technical elements of arranging music for steel bands, and general music theory (ABRSM Grade 1 Level). 155 students will take part in the camps, which are running in venues across Georgetown from 6-23 July. Stated goals of the project are to promote the steel pan as an art form, as well as developing a spirit of teamwork and self discipline among young people. The Ministry of Education, Department of Culture and Youth and Sport’s Music Development Unit are running the camps.
