Community cultural projects in London receive £7.8 million boost » Communities » 24dash.com

London Councils has given community cultural activities across the capital a £7.8 million boost.

The cash will be used to support projects designed to get older and disabled Londoners, children and young people from disadvantaged families, and people from black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee (BAMER) communities more involved in the arts and culture.

London Councils' grants committee has used £4 million to commission 22 organisations to help encourage older and disabled people and those from BAMER communities take a more active role in cultural activities across the capital.

A further £3.8 million has been used to commission 23 organisations to increase the opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged families to get involved in arts and cultural initiatives.

Among the projects to benefit is arts group Heart n Soul, which will receive £197,044 to run four major cultural events and six touring events as well as development schemes in art, songwriting and visual arts for children and young people with learning and other disabilities.

Core Arts will receive £67,100 to hold musical activities for disabled people and BAMER communities.

Elsewhere, the Barnado's CANDL Project will receive £155,852 to hold weekly arts sessions for young people aged between eight and 18 from disadvantaged families, and East London Dance will receive £220,572 to run dance classes and projects to help disadvantaged children from east London, including young offenders and teenage parents.

Chairman of the grants committee Paul McCannah said: "Getting as many people as possible involved in art, dance and other cultural activities can have huge benefits for both the individual and the capital as a whole.

"The package of grants we have given will help develop people's skills and help improve their self confidence and outlook on life.

"They will also give those taking part in or seeing one of the displays or exhibitions a greater understanding of other parts of London's diverse community."