• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Thursday May 16 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

New grants scheme for West creatives launched

A new fund to help freelancers working in the creative sector in the West has been launched by metro mayor Dan Norris.

New £2,000 grants are available through the West of England Combined Authority’s Culture West initiative.

Freelancers are at the heart of creativity and productions in the West of England and across the country.

Forty-seven per cent of workers in the world-leading West of England creative industries are freelancers, compared with 15 per cent of the wider regional workforce.

But they have suffered from a disproportionate lack of investment and government support, with many freelance artists leaving the sector, especially since the pandemic.

The £200,000 creative fund has been developed to support artists, technicians, designers, curators, producers, writers and other freelances to develop their skills or learn a new creative practice to get on in the world-leading creative industries.

Creative freelancers can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to support various activities such as research and development, professional development, creation of new work, collaboration, training, and more. Projects can span up to nine months and should be completed by June 2025.

Metro mayor Dan Norris with the cast of Little Shop of Horrors

The mayor went behind the scenes at Bath’s Egg Theatre on Wednesday, where Bath Theatre Academy were busy putting the final touches to their musical Little Shop of Horrors with the help of ten expert freelancers, ahead of its opening night.

“One of the very first decisions I took as Mayor was to back freelancers who had been hammered during the pandemic,” he said.

“Without talented freelancers across the arts, our region’s theatres, high streets, buildings, film and TV and museums would be sorely lacking in creativity.

“But we know that trickle down of investment in organisations and support doesn’t always flow through to freelancers. That’s a big problem – not least in terms of limiting access to our world-class creative industries.

“This new funding underlines my commitment to actors, fashion designers, artists, animators and many others to grow, and get on in our creative industries.”

Phil Gibby, South West area director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re proud to support the future of freelancing with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, through our joint Culture West programme.

“From actors and set designers to photographers and producers, self-employed creatives can be found in every corner of the cultural sector, yet we so often hear they feel like an invisible workforce.

“This cash boost goes some way to recognising their dedication and retaining specialist skills, so that culture can continue to flourish in the West of England for the good of all audiences.”

James Moore, head of engagement at Theatre Royal Bath, added: “The Bath Theatre Academy season of work represents the excellence that can be achieved when we give young people access to world-class theatre makers in an extraordinary venue.

“The Egg has gathered a huge team of over 50 freelancers to work on the four productions being staged this May, enabling our in-house students to experience making theatre to a professional standard.

“It’s paramount to the success of the industry that young people, and freelance creatives, are given the opportunities and means to make work locally.”

WECA has invested more than £1 million supporting more than 800 of the region’s creative freelancers since the metro mayor was elected in May 2021.

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