Three local creatives have been chosen to attend the National Arts Fundraising School online programme this year, thanks to Grimsby Creates, North East Lincolnshire’s cultural development programme.
Artists from any creative discipline traditionally use the programme for professional development, learning of new skills, networking and sharing of understanding.
The focus of the programme is on fundraising and how to go about devising strategies for securing funds from different resources. However, the overall programme is designed around the participants’ requirements, and other modules are available over the course of the residency.
Grimsby Creates had originally secured two places for local creative people to attend. However due to the continuing COVID situation, the normal residential programme has gone online this year, which means that the programme could fund three places instead.
The places have been awarded to: Charlotte Bowen, from The Culture House in Grimsby; Lisa February, a freelance creative practitioner; and Laurie Kennedy from The Faraway Community Interest Company.
Charlotte Bowen, is the director of The Culture House and Birdhouse, which aim to increase engagement and participation in art and culture through delivery of exciting and inspiring activity via events and festivals. She said: “I’m seeking to develop our own fundraising capacity so that we can plan and deliver over a longer term, but also so I’m in a good position to help build the confidence of the local creative sector and support ambitious thinking.”
Lisa February, is a freelance creative practitioner, whose main disciplines are theatre and creative writing, combined with other mediums such as visual art and music. She said: “Attending the NAFS course is important to me as a young, emerging practitioner, to prepare myself for future endeavours and larger responsibilities through professional development. I aspire to be a part of changing the narrative and encourage young creative people to realise that they can forge a career in their hometown.”
Laurie Kennedy is the co-founder of The Faraway CIC, which focuses on developing our local community to be more inclusive and accessible for people with diverse needs such as autism. He said: “My heart is with those in the creative sector that struggle to get their foot in the door. I’ve been there and I really want to be a part of this programme’s goal to enrich the community with the great culture and artistry that has yet to be explored.”
The successful applicants from North East Lincolnshire will have the full cost of the programme covered by the Cultural Development Fund (CDF). This support will the first of many initiatives which Grimsby Creates will support to build capacity in the local creative sector. Further announcements and opportunities to participate in Grimsby Creates will be announced over the next few weeks.
Cllr Callum Procter, Cabinet member for culture, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for creative people in North East Lincolnshire. In the modern world where everyone is fighting for the proverbial slice of cake, being able to secure fundraising is key to delivering not just good, but great, projects. I’m really pleased that our CDF programme is able to offer this to our local talent.”
Grimsby Creates is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by Arts Council England as part of the Cultural Development Fund (CDF).
Share this article