Each year Harrogate Borough Council invites voluntary organisations, charities and community groups working to develop innovative projects in culture, arts and heritage in the Harrogate district to apply to a fund of almost £21,000.
The fund, which is administered by the Council’s Culture, Tourism and Sports service, puts a special emphasis on enhancing the opportunities for young people to engage in cultural activity. It also aims to widen audiences, to address barriers to participation, to build skills and to boost the local economy through cultural activities.
This year’s applications were assessed by a panel consisting of Ralph Dartford, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, Councillor Helen Flynn and Jane Sellars, Curator of Art .
Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, said:
The Harrogate district has a rich cultural life and the council is committed to supporting the people and organisations that make this possible in innovative and creative ways. We are especially pleased to be able to make awards to groups that are doing new work with our young people.
Eight cultural organisations across the district were awarded a grant this year.
- The Ripon International Festival was awarded £3,500 for what identified as a very high quality cultural event.
- The Bad Apple Theatre Company, which takes highly entertaining theatre to rural locations where the arts are least accessible, was given £2,115 towards the cost of touring performances to Ripley, Marton cum Grafton. Fewston, Long Marston, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton, Hunsingore and Staveley.
- The Friends of the Valley Gardensin Harrogate were awarded £5,000 towards their heritage project to restore the Old Magnesia Well Pump Room and Peat Garden, a significant part of the town’s spa history and built heritage, which, in the panel’s view, has purpose, longevity and educational potential.
- The AMP Awards, a project that combines rock band performance, band management , business enterprise and marketing, with performances at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, won £2,996 to set up a course and competition for young people to develop their skills as rock music photographers. The Tewit Youth Band, an excellent education project that benefits many young people, was awarded £910 to buy new musical instruments.
- FEVA, the Knaresborough Arts Festival, was awarded £1,550 toward marketing costs, Ripon Festival received £2,500 for community events for young people and the Nidderdale St. Nicholas Festival Group was awarded £325 for publicity materials for an excellent winter festival.
