Arts Council awards £550,000 to fund three-year project in Sheffield

A grant of £550,00 has been awarded to develop, demonstrate and celebrate visual art in Sheffield.

The Arts Council has awarded the cash to the Sheffield Culture Consortium to fund its three-year Making Ways project, aimed at developing artistic talent and encouraging the growth of the economy for the arts community.

The consortium is made up or organisations including the city’s two universities, Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield Theatres Trust and Museums Sheffield.

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Its Making Ways project is aimed at complementing the Year of Making Sheffield 2016 festival, which is a year-long celebration of all forms of ‘making’ in Sheffield.

It will fund the professional development of artists through master-classes and industry residences.

There will be a bursary programme and large scale outdoor and digital commissions, plus exhibitions.

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chairman of the Sheffield Cultural Consortium and Director of City and Cultural Engagement at The University of Sheffield, said: “The Culture Consortium is naturally delighted that the Arts Council has demonstrated its belief in Sheffield’s potential to harness the value of our artistic community for the city and its economy.

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“This funding means we can develop a three year programme to build and sustain initiatives to support artists in Sheffield, and to build on the best practice we already deliver in managed studios and galleries. And the Year of Making Sheffield 2016 will be a springboard.”

Kim Streets, Chief Executive Officer of Museums Sheffield, said: “Making Ways is a timely strategic investment in our artistic community and builds on what we do well as a city. 

“Sheffield has a reputation for making things happen, for an innovative DIY culture and for growing things from the ground up. 

“Making Ways will harness our potential as a centre of excellence within the visual arts and make a real difference for our artistic community and for the people of Sheffield.”