Wakefield District’s Cultural Future Shines with New Culture Grants for 2024

Wakefield’s commitment to arts and culture continues with Culture Grants funding
Wakefield District is set to further nurture its creative and cultural legacy with the recent announcement of recipients for the 2024 Culture Grants.

This initiative, part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024, aims to empower local creatives, community organisations, and cultural entities by supporting projects that celebrate the district’s unique heritage and artistic spirit.

Empowering Wakefield’s creative spirit

The Culture Grants offer crucial financial backing to foster cultural engagement across Wakefield, enabling local artists, heritage workers, and community groups to undertake projects that explore the district’s history and identity. With a focus on inclusivity and collaboration, the funding supports a wide array of initiatives, from art workshops to performances, designed to inspire community involvement.

Nineteen diverse projects have been selected to receive this round of funding, all aimed at celebrating local heritage, promoting community arts, and fostering creativity. These projects will introduce free workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events across the district, allowing residents to learn new skills and participate in creative activities.

Community-driven projects take centre stage

Among the recipients are projects that highlight Wakefield’s rich cultural tapestry. One such initiative, Charlie Wells’ collaborative music project, aims to create new songs inspired by Wakefield’s heritage, culminating in performances that blend music, soundscapes, and movement. Another project by Our House Wakefield offers oral history workshops where participants will share personal stories, preserving local narratives and cultural identities.

Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, expressed her excitement about the new projects. She noted, “We are thrilled to support these community-focused initiatives. They not only engage residents in creative activities but also explore our local heritage, personal stories, and cultural identities, connecting people from different backgrounds.”

Skills development and artistic exploration

The funded projects provide ample opportunities for Wakefield residents to explore new skills, from photography and typography to AI animation. The Crafty Creatives CIC, for instance, will host art workshops specifically for individuals living with cancer, offering a supportive space for self-expression through art. At the Kellingley Knottingley Miners' Welfare Centre, workshops will focus on commemorating local history while developing photography and typography skills.

Other exciting projects include the Lo-Fi Alchemists’ "Finding My Place", which will run creative courses exploring personal stories through accessible materials, and Michelle Duxbury’s "Nature: Sensory", where disabled artists will interpret landscapes through sensory experiences. These initiatives underline Wakefield’s commitment to inclusivity, encouraging diverse communities to engage with culture and creativity.

Made in Wakefield and culture everywhere: Supporting local creatives

The Culture Grants programme consists of two primary funding strands—Made in Wakefield and Culture Everywhere. The Made in Wakefield grants provide between £1,500 and £15,000 to support ambitious projects by local artists and cultural organisations. These projects focus on new creative work that promotes participation and engagement across the district.

Culture Everywhere, on the other hand, offers smaller grants of up to £1,500 to support community groups in organising local cultural events. These grants enable more residents to experience the joy of cultural activities, making arts accessible to everyone in Wakefield.

While the application window for Made in Wakefield grants for 2024 has closed, Culture Everywhere grants remain open until December 2024. Community groups interested in applying can visit the Wakefield Council’s website for further information.

Notable projects receiving culture grants

Made in Wakefield grants

1. Abigail Forster – Running workshops exploring Wakefield’s hidden gems through printing, with a final exhibition showcasing the work.
2. Charlie Wells – Creating collaborative songs exploring local identity and heritage, culminating in a live performance.
3. Jen Watson – Producing a multimedia mural at Lightwaves Community Centre, reflecting iconic buildings from the Wakefield skyline.
4. Kellingley Knottingley Miners' Welfare Centre – Hosting workshops commemorating the centre’s history through photography and typography.
5. Lo-Fi Alchemists – Running creative courses exploring personal stories and heritage through lo-fi materials.
6. Michelle Duxbury – A sensory project by disabled artists interpreting landscapes, which will result in a public exhibition.
7. Naomi Aderonke Crompton – Researching Wakefield’s clay heritage and creating vessels from local clay, with workshops and exhibitions.
8. New College Pontefract – Developing a performance exploring Pontefract’s liquorice heritage, with multiple performances across the community.
9. Our House Wakefield – Documenting Wakefield’s LGBTQ+ stories through oral histories, workshops, and exhibitions.
10. Seaglass Collective – Providing workshops for adopted children and families, including printmaking and sculpture, with a final exhibition.
11. Second Chance Headway Centre CIC – Weekly art sessions and the use of AI animation to create interviews, culminating in an exhibition.
12. Story Trails – Presenting local heritage audio stories through an old-fashioned telephone installation, touring libraries across Wakefield.
13. The Crafty Creatives CIC – Offering art workshops for people living with cancer, with a final exhibition of the participants' work.
14. Yew Tree Arts – A youth-led project exploring mental health, with a final exhibition or performance.
15. Wakefield Hospice – Delivering cultural sessions across the district, including activities like henna, woodworking, and yoga.

Culture everywhere grants

1. Crigglestone Parish Council – Hosting collage creation workshops for the community, with a public exhibition.
2. Currock Press – Organising group poetry readings to enhance self-esteem in the local community.
3. Friends of Castleford Library – Featuring a pinhole camera photography exhibition at Castleford Library.
4. Progressive Talent CIC – Celebrating Black History Month with a one-day cultural event, including music, dance, and food.

Wakefield's cultural celebration continues

The Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 programme promises to be an exciting year for Wakefield, celebrating its people, places, and cultural vibrancy. From local heritage to contemporary arts, the diverse range of projects supported by the Culture Grants will help foster creativity, community, and connection throughout the district.

Residents and community groups still have the opportunity to be part of this cultural journey by applying for Culture Everywhere grants before the December deadline. To get involved, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureGrants or explore the many events happening during Our Year 2024 via www.ouryear2024.co.uk.