University-backed culture project wins funding

A consortium led by the University of Derby has secured more than £800,000 of funding to give communities in part of Derbyshire a cultural boost.

The consortium has been awarded a grant of up to £826,000 from Arts Council England for its Make/Shift project, which will provide a new programme of cultural activities in Amber Valley.

Due to start in April, the project will be delivered by the university, in collaboration with regional partners including Amber Valley Community Voluntary Services, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the Derbyshire Federation of Women’s Institutes and Platform Thirty1.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted that our application for Arts Council England Creative People and Places funding has been successful, and to be in a position to move forward with our exciting plans to develop a programme of cultural activity with and for Amber Valley.

“As a university we have a strong civic role to play and are committed to transforming lives and opening the doors to opportunities for all, so it is fantastic that by working as a partnership we will be able to use this funding to engage with and support communities to shape art and cultural provision through the Make/Shift project.”