A HOST of arts and cultural events and projects will take place this summer thanks to the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund, which will provide over £1 million in funding over five years to help support the creative sector.

Essex residents are to set to enjoy a range of arts and cultural events across the county this summer following the announcement of successful applications to the Essex County Council (ECC) Arts and Cultural Fund.

Announced in 2021, the Arts and Cultural Fund will provide over £1 million in funding over five years to help support the cultural and creative sector as part of ECC’s Everyone’s Essex strategy.

The Fund was open to small and large organisations, grassroots community groups, charities, start-ups as well as many more and received over 200 applications in total.

Over 40 applications were successful and are to receive, dependent upon the size and nature of the project, between £2,500 to £25,000 in funding.

The successful applications cover a range of disciplines within the arts and cultural sector, including community activities, music, dance, theatre, photography, workshops and both digital projects and events.

Applications were judged against a criteria which included how the projects will meaningfully engage with communities throughout Essex, and the impact that the work or project will have on supporting the aims outlined in Everyone’s Essex.

Many projects are designed to support economic regeneration, help alleviate mental and physical health issues, and highlight the importance of climate change action to the county’s residents.

A number will tour the county and support those in both rural and urban areas who feel isolated and vulnerable, while also working with ethnic minority artists and creative groups to help support the county’s diverse and vibrant communities.

Cllr Graham Butland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Devolution, the Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “To have received and approved so many applications of such high-quality is testament to the fantastic and highly skilled members of the creative sector that we have right here in Essex.

“The Arts and Cultural Fund is extremely important in helping and supporting the creative sector following the pandemic and I am delighted that these exciting projects, which cover a wide range of artistic and cultural disciplines, will be launched over the coming months. Be it from countryside to coast, these projects will enrich the lives of the county’s residents.”

For more information about the Arts and Cultural Fund visit: www.explore-essex.com/essex-acf-2022.