We’ve secured funding to help aid positive social change across Greater Manchester communities
We are delighted to announce that we will be joining the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Culture and Social Impact Fund portfolio for 2018-2020.
The fund supports not for profit and voluntary organisations providing excellent cultural experiences or work that has significant social impact across the ten boroughs in Greater Manchester.
Based at UTC@MediaCityUK College, and Associate Artists at The Lowry, we are firmly routed in Salford, but work with communities across Greater Manchester. The support from GMCA will enable us to expand our reach and continue our commitment to deliver meaningful arts and well-being initiatives that provide lasting impact in our local communities.
Between 2018-2020 we will deliver an exciting programme of performance, participation and education projects across Greater Manchester. The programme, which will include theatre productions, workshops, and a mobile wellbeing initiative aims to support personal and collective growth and instigate social change.
Donna Hall CBE, chief executive of Wigan Council, said: “It’s great news that Art with Heart has received funding from the new GM Culture and Social Impact Fund. We were so impressed with their focus on diversity and cultural expression. Well done to the team!”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham added: “The creative industry in Greater Manchester is thriving, contributing £1.46 billion to our economy and continuing to grow. We must support this growth and make pathways to creative careers accessible to everyone by supporting the dedicated people and businesses that are using their talent and entrepreneurship to build our local economy.”
Our 2018-2020 Programme
The Culture and Social Impact Fund will support the development of our new play Stan, named after the T-Rex at Manchester Museum. Developed with The Lowry and Deaf charity Genie Networks, Stan is a play for children which explores communication, friendship, identity, the family unit… and dinosaurs. A bilingual production performed in English and British Sign Language (BSL), Stan positively demonstrates how we can overcome language barriers and challenges preconceptions of deafness.
The fund will enable us to expand our Equalities workshop programme to all ten boroughs. The programme supports the creation of a positive and inclusive school environment for all students, and to date, has reached over 3,000 students across Greater Manchester.
Over the next two years, SPACE: mobile Wellbeing Room, will pop up in unusual spaces across all ten boroughs. Created by experienced mental health practitioner, Steph Walker; SPACE is nurturing, relaxed and friendly. Complete with creative installations, tea and holistic signposting, SPACE is a carefully designed environment that encourages people to take time and take care.
The programme will also include exciting collaborations with local communities, schools and charities, as well as training initiatives to support the development of emerging artists across Greater Manchester. More to come on those later!
For more information or press enquiries contact: rachel@artwithheart.org.uk.
