DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS FUND

PROPOSAL to Apply for SHREWSBURY & ATCHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS FUND
“In 2009 Shrewsbury will at the centre of the worldwide Charles Darwin bicentenary celebrations. This is an unprecedented opportunity for Shrewsbury to celebrate its famous son, under the glare of the international spotlight. Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council has launched this Darwin Community Arts Fund to celebrate his achievements. We are offering a wonderful opportunity for the community to get involved and deliver cultural activities that both inspire and engage”.
Cllr Charles Armstrong


Vision
We are looking for high profile creative projects that have a wide reach within the community. Projects must be ambitious in their scope and have the ability to deliver in scale. Successful applications must be programmed into the bicentenary no later than October 2008.



Context
Shrewsbury is the birthplace of Charles Darwin and was his home for the first 27 years of his life. Our Darwin is a young, enquiring mind not the hirsute, aged academic on a ten pound note.
This is the town of his formative years and early influences. He attended two universities and went on the Voyage of the Beagle whilst still a resident of the town. This is where the mind was made.
The ideas that he committed to paper continue to resonate in all areas of society, Science, Education, Politics, Art and Culture.
February 12, 2009 is his 200th birthday and 2009 is also the 150th anniversary of the publication of “On the Origin of the Species”.




FUNDING
Proposals will funded up to £5,000 We are keen to encourage applicants to seek additional sources of funding to add value and scale to their
project.



APPLICATIONS
Please write a proposal describing your project in no more than two sides of A4 and include a cost breakdown
+ supporting information. The scheme is likely to be highly competitive and awards will only be given to projects that demonstrate value for money.



AIMS
Who can apply? Established groups or organisations, groups or organisations coming together to deliver a project, Schools, Voluntary Groups and Arts Practitioners.
What is the project? Events, Activities and Projects that celebrate Charles Darwin and his ideas.
Where must the event, project or activity take place? Within the geographical area of SABC
When can your project take place? July 2008 – December 2009



Applications must be delivered for consideration by April 11 2008
Objectives Events, Projects and Activities must address ONE of the following objectives: ¬
Community

1. Involving communities

2. Providing opportunities for participation.

3. Promoting vibrant communities. Education

1 Projects related to Darwin’s life, ideas and intellectual legacy.
2 Projects that engage, stimulate and develop skills across the community.
3 Projects to support formal and informal learning.

Criteria
1 This fund is for NEW work
2 Your project must be community-led or community partnered and have local community support (a true grass roots initiative)
3 It must address one or more of the important issues identified in the Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council Community Arts Strategy (See below)
4 It must be delivered within parameters stated, unless otherwise agreed by the council
5 The project should have measurable milestones which will be monitored regularly by SABC staff
6 There must not be any revenue implications for the Borough Council or its successors

What the fund cannot be used for
1 It cannot be used for a project that does not meet the main objectives of the Community Arts Strategy (Attached)
2 It cannot support a private or commercial enterprise
3 It cannot be a substitute for core funding
4 It cannot be used for revenue in terms of ongoing maintenance, eg. Maintenance of equipment /open spaces
5 It cannot be used to offset other promised funding
6 It cannot be used for continuance of existing projects

S.A.B.C. RELEVANT ARTS STRATEGY OBJECTIVES:

Ref Objective 5 Improve Access To Arts Activities
5.3 Supporting arts projects that promote social inclusion
5.2 Supporting arts activity in rural areas

7 Maximise Available Resources
7.2 Fund projects that meet the Council’s core objectives

7.3 Lever external funding through Arts Grants scheme 8 Increase and Broaden Participation

8.1 Provide development opportunities for local artists/organisations

8.2 Encourage professional artists/organisations to present work in SABC
11 Develop Festivals and Events
11.1 Support the development and co-ordination of Shrewsbury’s events and festivals
For further details on these objectives applicants are advised to read the SABC Arts Strategy available on SABC website – www.shrewsbury.gov.uk
Applications must be delivered for consideration by April 11 2008
Applications to the DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS FUND should be sent to: Maggie Love – ADO The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury. SY3 8HQ
Any questions contact:- Maggie Love - 01743 281043 or maggie.love@shrewsbury.gov.uk