Up to £20,000 of funding is up for grabs to promote the arts in Somerset, thanks to Somerset County Council.

Local residents, organisations and community groups who in some way increase access to the arts or promote high quality arts projects in the County, are invited to apply for 'Seed Funding'.

Successful applicants will receive a grant of between £200 to £1,500 to support their creative project, event or initiative. The idea is that this grant will not only support arts projects and generate additional funding for them, but also provide opportunities for local residents to participate in arts activities.

Last year 17 projects across the County were awarded Seed Funding, each receiving an average grant of £909.  These projects included everything from extra-curricular school activities to concerts and exhibitions, and engaged more than 36,000 people in Somerset arts activities.

Kay Allen, Somerset County Council's Head of Service for Community Regeneration, said: "The Seed Funding Grant Scheme helps local artists, organisations and communities celebrate all that is exciting and engaging about the arts in Somerset.  Somerset County Council is pleased to be able to support local arts projects in this way."

Councillor Christine Lawrence, Somerset County Council's Cabinet Member for Community, added: "In the current economic climate, it is really encouraging to see that a little support goes a long way.  I look forward to seeing more local projects benefitting from the scheme this year, and in turn generating further funding for the arts in Somerset.

See attachments for more details and an application form