Donations are being sought from businesses and residents across the county, including Taunton to support arts and cultural opportunities for children and young people.
The County Council is backing local arts charity Somerset Partnership Arts Education Agency (SPAEDA) to unlock match funding from the Arts Council. The aim is to provide enriching, creative activities in schools for children who might not otherwise have access to them, from storytelling and drama to wood carving and mural painting,
Match funding of £50k needs be achieved locally in order to access a matching £50k from the Catalyst Evolve Programme. Every pound raised generates a pound from the Arts Council.
The closing date for the funding is 31 August 2019 – any funding not claimed by then will go back to the Government and our communities will lose out!
Alice Crane, Artistic Director SPAEDA has told Tone News: “We believe that every young person deserves the chance to create, imagine and be inspired by arts and culture. “Today, with your help, we can give schools and communities the resources they need to develop resilient, imaginative and courageous children and young people’
SPAEDA was selected from 500 applicants to join the programme. The hope is that a total of £100k will be available to fund activities for children across Somerset.
Schools have already raised £25,000 – now the call is going out to people across Somerset to help another £25,000 to access the remaining match funding.
SPAEDA works in partnership with schools in the county and artists to deliver creative projects for pupils and support for staff to develop their own artistic activities for pupils.
The deadline to receive donations is 31 August – visit here to donate.
