Introduction

Based at the Town Hall Centre, the Art Development Officers aim to provide a wide programme of Arts Events across the District that are accessible to all.

Recent events have included circus skills, orchestral concerts and workshops, puppet shows, drama productions, exhibitions, music workshops, art classes, multicultural projects and youth art projects.

When planning an event the aims of the Braintree District’s Cultural Strategy are fully considered, and accessibility, excellence, ownership, partnership and sustainability are primary concerns. Every effort is taken to ensure that barriers to participation in the arts are removed, particularly for those living in rural areas and the disadvantaged. Some Arts Development events are aimed at a specific section of the community, for example the elderly, youth, children, young mums. Other events are open to all such as Essex on Tour, Essex Book Festival and the Witham International Puppet Festival.

Working in Partnership
All events are planned and delivered in Partnership – with other authorities and/or local groups. This helps to ensure ownership and also brings in valuable and often substantial funding, both in cash and ‘in kind’.

Arts in View
The Arts in View leaflet lists the district’s forthcoming arts events and exhibitions. It is produced 3 times a year and all events are listed on the Cultural Services Website – Contact the Arts Development Office to find out more about advertising your local arts event in the leaflet. Deadlines for copy are:-

Issue/Deadline
November – March: 1st October

March – July: 1st February

July – November: 1st June

Arts Funding
The Arts Development Officers provide support to Braintree District Arts, a voluntary arts group, and to the 50 plus voluntary arts groups across the District.
The Arts Development Officers are also available to give advice to local groups and individuals who are seeking arts project funding. If you are considering applying to a funding body, such as the Big Lottery Fund, Awards for All or Arts Council England – Grants for the Arts, you can contact the Arts Development Office to arrange a convenient time to meet.

Arts Development Projects

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Concert with
The Colne Philharmonic Orchestra

On Sunday 8th July Braintree is hosting the world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cressing Temple Barns. This is the culmination of a three-year project funded by BDC and the Eastern Orchestral Board. During the project the Royal Philharmonic Musicians have worked with and coached the local CPO players on a number of occasions. Following the coaching sessions the Colne Philharmonic have given several large concerts in Braintree and numerous much-appreciated ‘mini concerts’ in nursing and residential homes across the District.

In July, following a series of Royal Philharmonic recitals in Braintree District schools, both orchestras will be performing a wonderful programme of music aimed to appeal to families and music lovers, at Cressing Temple Barns: –

HANDEL – Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
ELGAR – Serenade for Strings
BARTOCK – Romanian Dances
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS – Lark Ascending
GRAINGER – Shepherd’s Hey
Interval
SHOSTAKOVICH – Festival Overture
PROKOFIEV – Romeo & Juliet Montagues & Capulets
KHACHATURIAN – Sabre Dance
TCHAIKOVSKY – Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform alone in the first half of the concert and will join the CPO after the interval.

Tickets are £15 each with family tickets available at £40, admitting 2 adults and up to 3 children.

Cream teas will also be available, bookable in advance at £2.50 each.

Arts Funding

Arts Funding
The Arts Development Officers are available to give advice to local groups and individuals who are seeking arts project funding.

Content for this page will be updated shortly with current information about grants from Charities, Trusts and Foundations.

Awards for All
Awards for All Engalnd offers grants between £500 and £10,000 awarded for arts, sports, heritage and community activities and projects that promote education.
www.awardsforall.org.uk

The Big Lottery Fund
Offers grants between £10,001 and £500,000 for projects that help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need in the UK
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Arts Council England ‘Grants for the Arts’
These grants are for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. A continuous programme where applications can by made at any time of the year.
www.artscouncil.org.uk

Essex County Council Small Grants Scheme
Offers grants between £200 and £2,500. The small grants scheme is aimed at individuals, voluntary and professional organisations who want to fund arts projects for the benefit of people in the County of Essex. Closing dates are March and October each year. For further information contact Lindsey Strange on 01245 244611 or email: lindseystrange@essexcc.gov.uk
Other funding information can also be found on the Braintree District Council’s website:

http://www.braintree.gov.uk/

Public Art

Public Art in the Braintree District
Braintree District has many public art works through the authorities ‘percent for art’ policy that has enabled artists to work on exciting schemes with the community.
This page is currently being updated.

For further information contact The Arts Development Office email: artsdevelopment@braintree.gov.uk

Arts Directory

We are currently in the processes of compiling information about arts groups in the Braintree District. It will also list artists who work and live in the district who submit details for this site.

If you run an arts group and would like to publish details about your group or you are an artist living and working in the Braintree district, please contact the Arts Development office for an arts directory form.

Arts in View

Enjoy, the What’s on Guide to the Arts in Braintree District
This publication lists the district’s forthcoming arts events and exhibitions. It is produced three times a year. Please contact the Arts Development team to find out more about promoting your local arts event in the leaflet.

The most recent issue can be viewed by clicking here.

Deadlines for copy are:-

November – March Issue; deadline 1st October
March – July Issue; deadline 1st February
July – November Issue; deadline 1st June

If you would like your event included in our next edition of Arts in View leaflet, please complete the submission form, and send to Arts In View, Town Hall Centre, Market Place, Braintree, CM7 3YG.