Managers of a community arts project in Telford are celebrating after scooping nearly a quarter a million pounds of funding.
The money has been awarded to Arty Party, which provides arts-based opportunities for people with learning difficulties. It will be used over the next three years to run a two-day a week course. Arty Party will pick 30 adults to attend the course to develop skills in art, dance and drama.
Regular social events will also be organised and a part-time support worker recruited.
Arty Party received £247,401 from the Big Lottery Fund.
Psyche Hudson, acting arts and culture manager for Telford & Wrekin Council, said she was thrilled.
“The programme is called Work and Play,” she said.
“We start with what people with learning difficulties are good at.
“The proposal is to run from a base in Wellington. We are looking for venues. We don’t want to do it in a day centre setting.
“The arts activities range from making and painting things, performance, dance, photography, film. Part of it will also be setting up regular social activities based at The Place in Oakengates.
“We will be recruiting 30 adults and there will be an application process.
“Through the work we’ve done already, there’s been an enormous transformation in terms of independence and social skills and feeling valued.”
Arty Party was set up about six years ago with funding from the Arts Council and has also received funding from Telford & Wrekin Council.
In October, the group won a national award for a short film produced and performed by members.
They travelled to Brig- hton for the Oska Bright Film Festival, to recognise art by people with learning disabilities. The group picked up the Best Film award for I Saw a Girl.
By Lizzie Yates
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