City Of Culture Celebrations Receive Cash Boost

Next year's City of Culture celebrations have received a £1.35m cash boost.

The Big Lottery Fund and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland announced today that they have made the money available to community groups across Northern Ireland.

Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to play a part in the celebrations of Derry/Londonderry, the first UK City of Culture.

Their projects should link in with the historic event, encourage talent and help improve the lives of people in their communities.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the City of Culture organisers, said the funding announcement was "a fantastic development".

She said: "Local people taking ownership is vital to the success of the UK City of Culture 2013."

Examples of projects that might be funded could include a primary school, inspired by the UK City of Culture celebrations, working with local artists, poets or musicians in their communities to make music or create a piece of art celebrating local culture.

Or a reminiscence group could organise for older people to tell their memories of local culture and turn them into a DVD for everyone in the community to watch.

Big Lottery Fund NI Director, Joanne McDowell, said: "We want to ensure that groups across Northern Ireland can develop and deliver arts and culture projects that link to the celebrations and also benefit the lives of people in their local communities."

Lorraine McDowell, Director of Operations at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: "The UK City of Culture is our time to shine, to showcase our creative strength to international audiences."

To apply for a grant under the Culture for All programme, see www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

(NE)