Chamber launches art and culture fund
Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce has launched a fund to support art and culture in the region and is urging businesses to pledge their backing for the scheme.
The Chamber Culture Fund will invite bids for cash from individuals and organisations working on art and culture projects throughout the Humber region.
Money will be generated from the Chamber’s own investments, and the hope is that businesses will make donations to top-up the fund.
Chamber president Phil Ascough said there may also be opportunities for businesses to adopt art and culture projects which apply for support.
He said: “The Chamber Culture Fund has been launched to commemorate the Chamber’s 180th anniversary and Hull’s status as 2017 UK City of Culture. Our intention is to operate the fund for 20 years until the Chamber hits 200, and it is not just about Hull.
“Our aim in launching the fund is to bring businesses together with the arts and culture community throughout the Humber region and make cash awards to support the development of art and culture projects. We will also help businesses identify projects that they could adopt and develop themselves.”
Joining Ascough on the panel which will assess the applications will be Julian Wild, a solicitor at Rollits and former board member at Hull Truck Theatre, and arts consultants and project directors Elaine Burke and Clare Huby, whose credits in the local area include Larkin with Toads and the Amy Johnson Festival.
Ascough added: “The amounts we are able to give away will depend on the return on the investments and on the level of support from businesses. The maximum for a single award will be £4,000, and there may be people who will benefit hugely from receiving a few hundred pounds.
“We recognise and value the role of art and culture in supporting and developing our communities and we welcome applications from throughout the Hull and Humber region from literature, music, visual arts, the performing arts, digital media and performance, or any combination of these. In addition to money the fund will provide mentoring from our experts on the panel, and we are very grateful to them for their help.”
