Bradford Digital Arts Lab – Imran Ali
Bradford Digital Art Lab provides support for Bradford's youth, fostering experimentation with technologies like AI, 3D printing, and virtual reality. This project builds on a successful 2023 edition that supported five local artists with £1,000 grants, resulting in diverse projects ranging from AI-generated poetry to 3D-printed cityscapes. Through mentoring, networking, and creative risk-taking, Digital Arts Lab provides a safe space for artistic growth. Despite modest commissions, the financial Awards provided will enable risk-taking and collaboration, crucial for emerging artists lacking professional networks.
Nature Arts in Keighley Parks - Annie Berrington
Nature Arts in Keighley Parks aims to engage Keighley's community in nature-based activities, enhancing park reputations and connecting with nature. Participants will create natural artworks in town centre parks, promoting community wellbeing and encouraging park visits. It addresses the need to revitalise Keighley parks, counter anti-social behaviour, and promote nature's beauty. The initiative aims to establish a Green Community Hub and strengthen community connections with nature, drawing more visitors to the parks. Strong partnerships with local groups ensure inclusivity and diverse participation. Sessions will be held in parks near Keighley town centre, including Cliffe Castle, Devonshire Park, Lund Park, and Victoria Park.
Beyond Memory - Andrea Capstick
Beyond Memory seeks to battle the stigma around dementia and approach different ways of understanding dementia better. The project will include a mix of audio visual presentations, storytelling alongside original art work for participants to engage with. Those devising and performing will be people living with early on-set Dementia. The project lead, Andrea has designed the project through using her decades long experience within this field. A year long period of experimenting and rehearsing will result in a touring ‘performance’.
Arts at the Thornbury Centre - Natasha Glew
The Thornbury Centre, will host a 6-month community engagement programme to develop a creative, intercultural hub. Securing £1200 from The Leap and £5000 from Inspired Neighbourhoods in 2023, they conducted nine free arts and well-being sessions. Based on community feedback from the pilot workshops, they will now expand the offer, providing six months of workshops targeting diverse age groups and ethnicities. The activities include arts and crafts for over 50s, yoga for women and mixed genders, sound-bath meditation, Bollywood and street dance, and cooking classes.
The Lightbulb Project - Naila Khan
The Light Bulb Project will transform a disused building into an inclusive creative hub in Bradford, providing fully equipped studios for artists from disadvantaged backgrounds. It tackles resource limitations hindering aspiring artists, offering accessible space, tools, and a gallery for showcasing. The hub will create studios for diverse creative practices like woodwork, metalwork, pottery, and photography, prioritising accessibility by providing equipment and a community of artists. The project fosters community engagement through partnerships with local colleges and initiatives, involving residents from Bradford’s most deprived areas.
Apna Bradford – Awais Hussain
Apna Bradford aims to document and celebrate the cultural heritage of Bradford's South-Asian community, particularly those with roots in District Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The project addresses the lack of historical information regarding their pre-migration lives and settlement in Bradford. Through three phases - research and design, interviewing and recording. The project will engage over 500 school children, at least 30 families, and train ten participants in heritage research methods. The project aims to have impact through sharing heritage, findings, and strengthening community cohesion in Bradford's South-Asian community.
Our House Music - Pamela Kershaw
Our House Music aims to utilise music as a tool to address negative mental health impacts and promote well-being, particularly among youth by exposing them to genres like house music. Approximately 80 individuals from the Allerton and Lower Grange area will receive music production training, with access to affordable musical equipment afterwards. The model involves setting up a resource library and organising events to promote mental health awareness. Income from equipment hire and entry fees to events will support participants' chosen mental health charities. Ultimately, the project aims to cultivate musical talent and potential employment opportunities within the arts industry for participants.