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:

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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 contact Sue Porter, Centre Screen Co-ordinator, Tel: 0116 224 7703, Email: sue@phoenix.org.uk

cr8 Healthier Leicestershire
cr8 Healthier Leicestershire is a pilot project using arts acitivities to help schools meet their 'Healthy Schools' targets. These are concerned with the physical, mental & social well-being of children. The project is taking place in 4 schools across Leicestershire.

Dance Development
Leicestershire County Council has teamed up with the other local authorities in Leicestershire & Rutland to apply for funding for a Dance Development Officer for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. This will enable more people to take part in dance sessions of all styles. We have successfully raised 80% of the funds for this post & dance-related projects. This has been largely financially supported by Arts Council England. The project is now being led by The Y Theatre in Leicester where the Dance Development Officer will be based. We hope to raise 100% of the funds in the next few months so watch this space for updates!

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: ehorwood@leics.gov.uk