Grants of between £750 and £10,000 are available to help community and voluntary organisations celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from Wiltshire Community Foundation in partnership with Arts Council England.
Applications for the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund are now open for groups across Swindon and Wiltshire.
Wiltshire is one of the network of community foundations supporting the fund, a £5 million programme to develop creative and cultural activities as part of the celebrations in June.
Applicants are being encouraged to partner with established artists, creatives and cultural organisations to develop their activities, to ensure the Jubilee celebrations give people across Wiltshire the chance to experience the best of the country’s culture while also celebrating an important milestone in the nation’s history.
The fund is being welcomed by Lord Lieutenant for Wiltshire Sarah Troughton, who said it is an opportunity to showcase the county’s artistic and creative talent.
“I am delighted to support this exciting fund which will help unlock the huge artistic and creative spirit that abounds in Wiltshire and Swindon,” she said. “It will undoubtedly make Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee a landmark event that we will all want to remember for a long time.
“It is marvellous that Wiltshire Community Foundation is involved in this way and I feel sure that its knowledge, professionalism and many contacts across the whole county will help make this fund a valuable resource for the celebrations.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing how our talented artists and performers will entertain us. Let’s create!”
Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “We’re very proud to partner with Arts Council England to deliver the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund.
“We look forward to working with local groups and artists who will create imaginative and innovative celebrations to mark this historic occasion and strengthen cultural involvement and opportunities in their communities.”
The programme is made possible with funding from the National Lottery, whose players raise £30million for good causes every week. The fund’s distribution will be managed by UK Community Foundations on behalf of their 44 community foundation members across England.
Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley said: “We’re giving people across the country the chance to come together to experience the joy of culture and creativity in celebration of this historic milestone. With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival and the Unboxed festival of UK creativity, next year is set to be a magnificent celebration of our nation’s artistic achievements.”
Applications close on February 28 and applicants will be informed of the decision on their grant by April 1. More details of eligibility and how to apply at wiltshirecf.org.uk.