Cross artform

Salford City Council has set aside a total of £475,000 for arts, culture, and heritage with money from the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Under the scheme voluntary and community organisations will be able to bid for money for projects celebrating the city’s arts, culture and heritage.

The funds are being managed by Salford CVS and applications for grants of up to £10,000 are open until noon on Monday 9 October.

Salford City Council secured the funding after submitting proposals to Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which manages the fund in the city-region.

Councillor David Molyneux, Greater Manchester’s lead for Resources and Investment and leader of Wigan Council said: “Putting local authorities at the forefront of the funding allows those working at the heart of communities to engage with local people and ensure funds can be spent in a way to deliver maximum benefit."

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing our proposals to life for the benefit of local people and visitors to our vibrant city.”

The conversion of a former hotel in Lincoln into an arts centre will begin this autumn, with financial support from the government’s levelling-up initiative.

Plans to redevelop the disused Barbican Hotel, which has been empty since 2008, include the creation of freelance art studios, a public gallery and a café.

Originally built as a Victorian gentleman’s club, the transformation of the Grade II listed building is one of several regeneration schemes being financed through a £19m levelling up grant secured by Lincoln City Council in 2020. 

It is being led by a partnership between between Lincolnshire Co-operative and the University of Lincoln.
 
In total the project is set to cost £3.3m and is due to open next summer. Of this £1.7m comes from the government funding with the rest being put forward by City of Lincoln Council and Historic England.

Sally Denton, the Executive Director of Barbican Creative Hub at the University of Lincoln, said the project was making “exciting progress”.

"Following on from the initial exterior stonework renovations, work will commence shortly on phase two of the project, which will see the interior of the building being fully refurbished whilst celebrating the heritage of this iconic building," she said.

Proposals for the government's forthcoming Disability Action Plan include plans to encourage more autism-friendly programmes in the cultural and heritage sectors. 

The plans are part of a raft of ideas designed to 'make disabled people's lives easier'.

Other proposals, which are now open to public consultation, include ensuring businesses are aware of disabled people’s needs, including Guide Dog access needs.

Tom Pursglove, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said: "Our Disability Action Plan will lay out practical measures we can implement here and now to improve the lives of disabled people.

"From leading the way globally with assistive technology to improving inclusivity and accessibility across sport, travel and culture, the plan will also be important in setting the stage for longer-term change."

The online consultation runs for 12 weeks and is open for anyone to comment.

Louise Mckiernan, Chair of the Disability Unit West Midlands Regional Stakeholder Network, said: "The launch of this consultation is an important opportunity for disabled people in particular to have their say and to help shape the government’s short-term plans."

A youth-led fund launched in partnership by Youth Scotland and Creative Scotland has awarded £65,000 of funding to young people across the country to pursue creative arts projects and experiences.

After receiving applications from more than 100 young people aged between five and 25, Step into the Art has awarded funding to 45 creative projects.

For some young people, the grants will support them to take lessons to explore or develop their skills in all kinds of artistic expression, from fine-art painting and fashion design to drumming and special effects makeup.

For others, grants will provide equipment or other practical support to get them started with specific projects, including everything from an educational film about bullying, to a podcast about the experience of being an immigrant in Scotland, to a Wild West-style play promoting positive masculinity.

Colin Bradie, Head of Creative Learning at Creative Scotland said: ‘We’re grateful to all the young people involved in the creation of this fund. Involving young people at the heart of decision-making ensures that they’re listened to and respected, making the opportunities more relevant to other young people. 

"They’ve created a vital opportunity for many more young people across the country to step into the arts. Not only will they be able to realise their creative ambitions but they’ll also be making friends, creating communities, and having fun along the way."