New arts and heritage projects across North East Lincolnshire to benefit from new funding

New funding will benefit arts and heritage projects across North East Lincolnshire.

Thirteen individuals and creative organisations will share 61 thousand pounds from the “Creative Ambition Pilot” grants as part of the Grimsby Creates programme.

The schemes involved include the possible establishment of a children's theatre in the area, a hoped for comedy festival, progressing a visual arts project and developing music and stortelling,

In many cases the money will mean those involved can do the basic work to try and get the project off the ground.

It will then help efforts to secure further fundraising from the likes of the Arts Council.

Two of those involved have spoken about their hopes:

Grimsby-based Red Herring Games has received a grant to do the research and development work on a free training programme to help people develop their creative writing skills.

Jo Smedley from the company explained: “We’re planning to link up with other local people, existing authors and organisations to build a creative writing project inspired by North East Lincolnshire as a place, with the ultimate aim of a published work.

We want to mentor and foster creative writers in the local area, build local relationships with institutes and authors, and develop new writers’ knowledge and skills.”

Meanwhile, Gary Swan has received a grant to develop the concept for a new music festival for North East Lincolnshire.

“I want to join the dots together in terms of what could be provided, how it could work, and how we could put on a multi-stage and venue festival to showcase the “sound of North East Lincolnshire.

I want people to be inspired to pick up an instrument, to take part and promote the great culture we have here.

For North East Lincolnshire council Councillor Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for culture, said: “This fund will help provide resource for creative people and organisations with capacity to consider ambitious projects which build on the successes of the Grimsby Creates programme and Heritage Starter Fund.

“North East Lincolnshire’s cultural scene is growing rapidly which can be seen in events like Festival of the Sea, murals from Creative Start, outdoor concerts at the Meridian Showground and visual arts in Grimsby Minster.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how local organisations and individuals can make the most of the grants, and create a collaborative working relationship between arts, heritage and culture practitioners in our borough.”