I AM FUND June 2022 Grantholders Announced!
On completion of their 8th round of funding since launching in 2019, the I AM Fund has provided grants to 4 more performing arts’ projects.
The I AM Fund panel met for their second 2022 meeting on 21st June. Paul Mounce, from Gosschalks Solicitors; Pauline Lindop, close friend of Audrey and lead executor of her estate; and HEY Smile Foundation Trustee Andy Bowden make up the I AM Fund Committee. They meet 3 times a year to review applications and since the 2019 launch, the panel has awarded £210,233 in grant funding to local performing arts organisations. This June they invested another £23,703 into the Hull and East Riding cultural sector.
Our newest grant-holders are a mixture of return applicants and those new to the fund. Via these 4 projects, the I AM Fund will be supporting arts’ engagement for 1410+ young people, plus the employment of 32 local creative freelancers.
Meet the Grantholders
Inspire School of Dance and Drama:
Inspire School of Dance and Drama will launch their brand new performance company, “Inspiring Young Performers”, for young people age 7-18yrs with a passion for performance. The school aims is to do exactly what the name suggests; inspire young performers to flourish within in arts.
The company will rehearse weekly led by 2 experienced teachers and working together will rehearse, produce and perform a new production each term.
The I AM Fund has awarded Inspire £5360 to provide full bursary places for 4 young people for 2 years.
These scholarships endeavour to provide young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to participate in the arts without financial barriers.
Click image to find out more.
Goodwin Development Trust and 1Upstarts:
In collaboration, 1UPSTARTS Interactive Theatre Company and the Goodwin Development Trust, will develop an interactive performance based around the exploits of Madam Bagabones and her ‘Mansion of Mystery’.
This show will be devised by working directly with the Turf Youth Club, based on the Great Thornton Estate, with 1UPSTARTS running sessions in September and October to co-create stories and interaction design for the show culminating in performances at a number of Hull venues.
The show will consist of a non-linear narrative in a similar structure to the choose-your-own-adventure books, with choices made through a combination of live audience votes, onstage interactions with children, and outcomes of games and activities played by the audience. It will be highly interactive in nature, with a focus on audience interaction throughout.
The Godber Theatre Foundation will take Jane Thornton’s play “Don’t Just Sit There” into 8+ Primary schools across Hull and East Yorkshire in October 2022, as well as two nights at Hull Truck Theatre’s studio.
The production will employ at least 8 members of the Godber Theatre Foundation to produce, direct, market, design and act, supported and mentored by staff from the John Godber Theatre Company. 1000+ children in years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to interact with live theatre and post-show practical workshops will introduce all aspects of production, Design, Directing, Marketing and Acting, as viable career options.
The Godber Theatre Foundation, in partnership with the John Godber Theatre Company, is an initiative which supports students specifically from Hull and East Yorkshire alongside their degree-level training in theatre arts subjects offering them mentorship, industry seminars, professional experience and financial aid.
Aba Daba Circus will open a brand new space in Hull to offer circus and aerial classes to young people aged 5-17.
This pilot project will offer subsidised classes and scholarship places to young people over a 5 month period.
The project aims to give a unique introduction to circus and aerial to more people; and to introduce opportunities to children and young people. The space intends to be a community hive for everyone, with opportunities to share skills and develop talent and learners are encouraged.
The next round of funding will be awarded in October 2022. If you have a project that you think meets our priorities please get in touch for an informal chat by contacting the I AM Fund Engagement Officer, Annie, on ak@heysmilefoundation.org or 01482 590270.
See the other organisations we have helped so far: