GRANTS from £750 to £10,000 are now available to help the Wiltshire community and its creatives celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Wiltshire Community Foundation, in partnership with Arts Council England, is now offering pots of money to groups across the county as part of the £5million Let’s Create Jubilee Fund.

The programme aims to develop creative and cultural activities that will contribute to Jubilee celebrations across the country.

Locally, applicants are encouraged to partner with established artists and cultural organisations to develop their activities, to ensure Jubilee celebrations give people across Wiltshire the chance to experience the best of the country’s culture, while also celebrating an important milestone in the nation’s history.

The initiative has been welcomed by Lord Lieutenant for Wiltshire Sarah Troughton, who said this is an opportunity to showcase the county’s artistic and creative talent.

“I am delighted to support this exciting fund which will help unlock the huge artistic and creative spirit that abounds in Wiltshire and Swindon,” she said.

“It will undoubtedly make Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee a landmark event that we will all want to remember for a long time.

“It is marvellous that Wiltshire Community Foundation is involved in this way and I feel sure that its knowledge, professionalism and many contacts across the whole county will help make this fund a valuable resource for the celebrations.”

The programme is made possible by funding from the National Lottery, and the fund’s distribution will be managed by UK Community Foundations.

“Proud” to partner with Arts Council England, Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver added the grants will “create imaginative and innovative celebrations” and “strengthen cultural involvement and opportunities”.

Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley said: “We’re giving people across the country the chance to come together to experience the joy of culture and creativity in celebration of this historic milestone.

"With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival and the Unboxed festival of UK creativity, this year is set to be a magnificent celebration of our nation’s artistic achievements.”

Applications close on February 28 and applicants will be informed of the decision on their grant by April 1.

For more information visit the Wiltshire Community Foundation website.

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