Published: Wednesday 25 November 2020
Twelve local projects, from visual arts exploring Islamic art to poetry sessions for visually impaired have won funding from Kensington and Chelsea’s Arts Grant £30,000 scheme to provide Covid-safe cultural activities. The total value of these projects is over £224,450.68 with £194,450.68 of matched funding in the form of additional grants and sponsorship and in-kind support.
This Autumn round of funding will allow new musical concerts, virtual reality experiences, dance performances, art exhibits and more to be delivered digitally or with social distancing. Taking place across the borough, these art projects showcase the cultural diversity in our community and the innovative spirit of our cultural sector.
Sophie Lodge of 24 Hearts CIC said:
“We were elated to find out that we had been chosen as one of the recipients of the Autumn 2020 arts grants scheme. We will be able to continue to carry out our work within the community, providing a safe outlet for residents to collaborate on a collective piece of art from the comfort of home.
“The pandemic has been extremely difficult on our mental health, but this project will provide an outlet of self-expression. It allows for individuals to connect, build relationships and see their work take shape within the community. At the end of the project, we’ll have a beautiful unity star that we will install outside of local organisation, Bay20.”
Sophie Drysdale of The Nucleo Project said:
“After finding out about the arts grant in North Ken News, I knew we needed to apply, and I’m thrilled we did. Our Musicians of Tomorrow project will enable 94 of our young members to connect with professional classical musicians in the industry.
“Too often children from BAME backgrounds are excluded from arts opportunities that can enrich and breakdown barriers. The funding from the Council will allow our grassroots organisation to help young musicians explore classical music and connect them with role models in the absence of regular concerts. This will be invaluable to those who may be having a difficult time due to Covid-19.”
Delivering on another item within our one year Culture Plan, the Council is continuing to look after it’s creative sector throughout the pandemic and provide multiple opportunities for diverse communities to connect.
The full list of grant recipients:
- Open Iftar: ‘Ramadan Tent Project’: Open to all, a combined arts and creative expression showcase, and the UK’s largest cultural community event brings communities to work together with a focus on young people and BAME communities as part of Ramadan. This allows them to delivery specific outreach to RBKC communities, including 500 special art packs.
- Sophie Drysdale: ‘Nucleo Project’: Inspiring 94 young musicians of tomorrow selected from its existing groups and ensembles, who will connect and collaborate with two professional BAME professional artists, including Braimah Kanneh Mason the classical violinist for an online performance.
- 24 Hearts CIC: ‘Wishing Upon a Unity Star’: 24 Hearts, along with local partners that include Henry Dickens, Maxilla Mens Shed and Full of Life, will work with 100 participants to create and decorate a unity star that will be installed outside Bay 20.
- The Mosaic Rooms: ‘Art Kits’: The UK’s only Arab focused art space on Cromwell Road, in collaboration with the Dalgarno Trust, working with children and their families with art kits inspired by the current exhibition of Heba Yamin on themes of technology and migration.
- Dr. Beverely Dugid: ‘Mindful Poetry for Visually Impaired’: Local creative artist, author and researcher Dr Beverley Dugid will be working with local poets engaging with both visually impaired and BAME participants to develop their creativity through poetry sessions.
- Sophie Mars: ‘Mindful Practice for the Body’: Open to all ages, dance and movement artist Sophie Mars in cooperation with Exposed Arts are delivering immersive performance and new technologies workshops over two days in 2021.
- Aicha Bendaylia (MCWG): ‘Discovering the Art of Islam’: 50 children aged 5 to 10 years from the Arab diaspora, predominantly in North Kensington, will have creative fun through visual arts exploring Islamic Art, along with a visit to the V&A
- Finborough Theatre: ‘Poplarism’: Celebrating local creativity and cross-borough collaboration with Tower Hamlets, to mark the centenary of 1921 Poplar Rates Revolt with 12 artists to create new work.
- Marianne Badrichani: ‘For Your Eyes Only’: Local international theatre maker and director with over 20 years’ experience is using short and playful texts, performed by actors over the telephone to local isolated residents.
- Element Creative Projects CIC: ‘Element Art with Children’: Local CIC in collaboration with RBKC Children Services, delivering two seasonal showcases of visual and performing arts and creative writing with local children and care leavers aged 14-25.
- Youth Action Alliance: ‘Vocalised’:The local Alliance in partnership with National Arts Trust, Octavia Base and Venture Centre, will offer a unique singing programme for young women aged between 11 -19 years and up to 25 for disabled young women.
Arunima Kumar Dance Company - Dance@Home: A series of Indian dance and yoga workshops with award winning Arunima Kumar Dance Company to stay active, nurture, experiment and innovate with Indian arts and stimulate new ways of connecting and creating inclusively with communities.
Learn more about other items set out in our one year Culture Plan here.