Member Article

Arts Council England Fund launches to help communities celebrate Platinum Jubilee through culture and creativity

UK Community Foundations (UKCF) will be managing the distribution of the Arts Council England Let’s Create Jubilee Fund, a £5million programme that will support community and voluntary organisations in England to develop creative and cultural activities as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

The programme has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery, whose players raise £30million for good causes every week. The fund will be distributed by UKCF’s network of community foundation members across England.

Designed to help organisations cover the costs of organising events, including volunteer expenses, artist fees and marketing costs and promotion, the fund is open to voluntary and community organisations that have charitable aims and are working towards a common goal.

Goals do not have to be based solely around arts and culture and organisations are encouraged to devise activities which will be relevant to their local audiences and communities. To be eligible projects should engage with at least one of the following artforms supported by Arts Council Funding: • Music • Theatre • Dance • Visual arts • Literature • Combined arts - including festivals and carnivals • Museum and library activities.

Applicants can apply for grants of up to £10,000, and are encouraged to partner with established artists, creatives and cultural organisations to develop their activities, ensuring that The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations give people throughout England the chance to experience the best of the country’s culture while also celebrating an important milestone in national history.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said: “We’re giving people across the country the chance to come together to experience the joy of culture and creativity in celebration of this historic milestone. With The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival and the Unboxed festival of UK creativity, next year is set to be a magnificent celebration of our nation’s artistic achievements.”

Rosemary Macdonald, CEO at UK Community Foundations said: “UK Community Foundations is proud to partner with Arts Council England to deliver the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund. Our members look forward to working with local groups and artists who will create imaginative and innovative celebrations to mark this historic occasion, whilst strengthening cultural involvement and opportunities in their communities.”

Applications will open on 4 January, with organisations able to apply through their local community foundation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Peter Callahan .