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Media Release 1 September 2008 Exeter Autumn Festival today announced its 2008 Awards promoting arts at the Festival. This year's Awards will benefit all kinds of performing arts including music, theatre and even unicycling! Award winners include Magic Carpet which does exciting arts work with disabled and disadvantaged people . Magic Carpet will use the funding to host a day of drop-in workshops for people with learning difficulties, using autumn objects to create a permanent artwork for their new drop-in centre. Magic Carpet aims to raise awareness of the new centre, which is next to Exeter Picture House, and ultimately to develop it as a 'village hall within the city', complete with cafe.. For the first time, the Partnerships Fund has meant that Exeter venues can apply for funding to produce a special event or activity with a community group during the Festival. One of the first venues to benefit from this extra funding is the Exeter Phoenix which hosts The Joy Collective, an innovative showcase which fuses the formats of art exhibition, motion pictures and live performance. Cllr Stella Brock, Lead Councillor for Economy and Tourism, said: "Last year Exeter City Council made 15 awards and this year, with the introduction of the Autumn Festival Partnerships Fund alongside the Autumn Awards Fund, we have been able to make 18 awards." "We have been impressed with the quality and vision of organisations that have applied, and are delighted to be able to help as many of them as possible. All of the recipients demonstrate a real commitment to encouraging the development of local creativity and involvement through participation and performance, elements which are absolutely key to the Exeter Autumn Festival and enriching the cultural life of the city." Exeter Autumn Festival was first staged in 2004 as a showcase for local cultural activity. The Autumn Awards Scheme was introduced at the same time to support groups and individuals who need financial assistance in order to develop and present their activities. Exeter Autumn Festival is funded by Exeter City Council, and supported by Exeter FM. Exeter Autumn Festival runs from 1 - 15 November. A brochure listing all events will be available from 22 September and is available by calling 01392 665885 |
