Fleet Arts Secures Vital Funding

Fleet Arts “delighted” at the news of securing support towards their general running costs from Derbyshire County Council for this next year.

Nine community arts groups and a touring community arts scheme benefited from grants totalling almost £140,000 from Derbyshire County Council.

Fleet Arts, based in Belper and working across Amber Valley and mid-Derbyshire, with its Turn It Up project covering the county secured one of the highest grants at £18,006

Fleet Arts is a community arts charity delivering visual arts and music projects.  Thier aim is to offer high-quality, accessible creative arts experiences. They have worked for more than 25 years in partnership with local groups and agencies throughout Derbyshire and Derby City to deliver a range of engaging and exciting projects.

All 10 groups work in the community bringing arts, performances, creative activities, music and workshops to a range of people across the county.

Last year more than 143,000 people benefited from the work by the groups including children in care, learning disabled and disabled people of all ages, people at risk of rural isolation or without transport, those on low incomes and residents living in care homes.

Currently, Fleet Arts are expanding the projects and events they run as well as getting their marketing, website and venue redeveloped.

Ola Wilson, Fleet arts Manager. said: “This means that our community arts charity can continue to run with our small team of three committed, part-time workers to develop, deliver & manage a wide range of participatory arts workshops, projects & events.

“Project-wise, we have a new closed project with Making Space at two venues in Belper for carers and their cared-for using the ‘five ways to well-being’ government initiative as a stimulus for exploring a different visual art technique each week.

“We also have a series of drop-in ‘Love-a-Lampshade’ workshops at Fleet Arts as part of our Therapeutic Textile project, exploring various skills to promote health & well-bring.”

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism Councillor Barry Lewis said:

“We’re delighted to be able to support these valuable arts groups for the coming year and recognise the enormous benefits they bring to a wide range of people in our communities.

“It can be difficult for many people to access arts and culture, music, film and live performances because of where they live or their circumstances, but these groups make it possible and open up new opportunities to thousands of people.”

As part of Belper Arts Festival in May, the Fleet Arts will have a packed programme of workshops and events.

These include creating a Labyrinth, a Drink & Draw workshop, Sound Bath health & well-being experience, Mature Movement class, a series of ‘Give Guitar a Go’ workshops and an ‘Art is Key’ (networking) event.

They also have a full bank holiday weekend planned as part of the Arts Trail on the 6th & 7th May. In Fleet Arts they are having interactive creative activities, an artist studio exhibition and a ‘FareShare’ (food from Supermarkets about to go to waste) fabulous two course vegetarian meal (£2.50 adults/£1 children) and of cakes.

Plus ‘Turn it Up’ will be helping coordinate the stages in the Memorial Gardens.