About Arts Development

The Arts Development team at Leicestershire County Council supports arts activity across the County in a number of ways. It creates opportunities for artists to develop businesses and practice. It provides access to professional performing arts and cinema in rural settings, support and funding for festivals, events and other arts activities with communities in the County. It provides organisational, strategic and funding advice for arts and community organisations.

Major projects that we are currently involved with include:

Arts & Healthy Schools
We're working in partnership with the Healthy Schools Strategy Team on projects using arts acitivities to help schools meet their 'Healthy Schools' targets. These are concerned with the physical, mental & social well-being of children. A pilot project 'Cr8 Healthier Leicestershire' took place in 4 schools across Leicestershire. To find out more see Cr8 Healthier Leicestershire.

Centre Stage
Centre Stage is a scheme which provides live professional performance at a venue in your village or community. Read more about Centre Stage.

Centre Screen
Centre Screen is a mobile cinema scheme which enables you to show blockbuster or archive films in a venue on your doorstep. It is run for us by Phoenix Arts, Leicester. To find out more, see Centre Screen.

Dance Development
The Dance Development Officer for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland is now based at the Y Theatre, see Dance Development for more information.

Rural Visual Arts Research
Leicestershire County Council is involved with research into visual arts in the East Midlands. Read more about the regional visual arts review.

Funding for Arts Projects
The Arts Development Team is able to support a small number of arts projects in Leicestershire through the Shire Grants - Arts Development fund. Read more about this funding scheme. To find out about possible sources of funding for your project visit the Funding Toolkit website.

Creative LeicesterShire
Creative LeicesterShire is a programme which has been set up to support professional artists, creative freelancers & businesses based in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Register with us via the Creative LeicesterShire website to find out about opportunities to support you in your career & business development.

Made in Leicestershire
A showcase for the rich range of handcrafted work by local artists and designer makers. See the Made in Leicestreshire website

Artslink
Are you looking for an artist to lead a workshop for you? Or are you an arts practitioner who leads workshops in schools or with community groups? The Artslink website includes an on-line directory of members who lead workshops in all sorts of art-forms. The site also provides useful information for people who want to employ artists & for artists who want to work in community settings.

To find out more about any of these projects or if you have any queries about arts activity in Leicestershire contact Emily Horwood, Arts & Creative Industries Officer, Tel: 0116 305 4115, Email: emily.horwood@leics.gov.uk