OIC welcomes Culture Fund applications

Orkney Islands Council is inviting folk to apply for its 2018 to 2019 Culture Fund.

The scheme provides financial support for cultural events, activities or projects taking place in Orkney between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.

Grants are available to organisations who are involved in projects related to arts, heritage or language in Orkney and are designed to support new or existing projects.

Examples of projects already supported by the 2018-19 fund include:

• The Hoy Max (Friends of Hoy Kirk) project celebrating Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ time at Rackwick through an exhibition and events programme.
• The George Mackay Brown Fellowship’s annual ‘wirdsmit’ programme for young writers.
• Breaking the Waves  – a project by Orkney Youth Café exploring Orkney’s relationship with the Sea as part of Per Mare Stromness 200 celebrations.
• ØY Festival –  a three-day annual festival of islands on Papa Westray including artist residencies, exhibition, workshops and film.

According to Antony Mottershead is the Council’s Arts Officer, the Culture Fund remains an important mechanism of support for many cultural projects in Orkney, enabling organisations to conduct a wide range activity from exhibitions and events, to staff and organisational development.

“I’d encourage interested groups to get in touch to talk through project ideas in advance of filling out the application,” he said.

Applications forms and guidance can be obtained from the Culture Fund web page on the Council website www.orkney.gov.uk or you can email Antony Mottershead the Council’s Arts Officer on antony.mottershead@orkney.gov.uk .