18 September 2007: AS well as providing annual financial support for major cultural events in the Harrogate district, Harrogate Borough Council created a funding stream in 2006 to help small arts and heritage projects.  The council is pleased to announce that this funding will continue in 2007 and is now seeking grant applications.

 

Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, confirms that the council is keen to support this sector of the district.  She said:  "The 2006 review of the way we offer financial support showed that events and organisations in smaller towns and rural areas were desperately in need of a local funding stream.  That is why we set up this Arts and Heritage fund.  We have recently heard that cultural services in the Harrogate district are in the top quarter of the country's best performing councils.  This isn't just a credit for this council but also to those hard working groups and organisations many of them manned by volunteers whose efforts help to improve the cultural life in our district."

 

Applications can be made until 19 October.  Grants will range from £400 to £1000 and are intended to help community groups within the Harrogate district to develop new and innovative projects.

 

To learn more about the grants and what they might fund or to request an application form, please contact Leilah Vyner in the Department of Community Services on 01423 556702 or by email leilah.vyner@harrogate.gov.uk

Applications forms are also available at www.harrogate.gov.uk

Successful applicants will be notified in November.