The Stage

Arts training schemes boosted by Clore Duffield Foundation grants

Published Tuesday 19 July 2005 at 14:35 by Alistair Smith

Performing arts training schemes have received £114,000 in the opening round of the Clore Duffield Foundation’s new Small Grants Programme.

The Hackney Empire, The Place, Glyndebourne Opera, the Playhouse in Derry, Sampad South Asian Arts and Live Theatre Newcastle were among the 14 cultural organisations receiving awards from the charity. The investment comes as part of a five-year programme of funding that was launched by the foundation earlier this year. Over that period it plans to make £1 million available for arts education initiatives.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “The foundation is a long-standing supporter of the performing arts. Following a series of large-scale capital donations, such as those to the Royal Opera House and the South Bank Centre, the trustees welcome this new opportunity to make a large number of donations to smaller organisations all over the UK.”

Groups benefiting from the funded projects include young people with special needs, talented young performers, child activity groups, primary and secondary school pupils, and young carers. The average grant awarded was £8,130. The next round of investment will be allocated in September.

The Hackney Empire, which was one of 247 cultural organisations that applied for a grant, was awarded £10,000 by the foundation. It will use the money for its ongoing project to find and nurture young artists from London’s East End and help them create a production at the venue over a ten-day period.

Chief executive Ronald Muldoon explained: “We have an artist development programme that has made us proud and from which real talent has found its way onto the main stage. To us that is a fulfilling thing and we are proud of our success.”