Arts and Culture East Devon - February news

Dear Creative,

Do you believe that creativity can change the world? We do! This is also at the heart of Creative UK’s mission. Discover more about Creative UK's national projects and how the Create Growth Programme can support you as a Devon creative business at our ACED Network meeting next week. We look forward to exploring together how creativity can shape East Devon's social, cultural and economic future.

• Sculpture unveiled at new Tithebarn development in East Devon.
• Latest training, artist calls and funding opportunities.

Winter ACED Network meeting

Wednesday 12 February, 10 - 12 (coffee and networking from 9.30)

Poltimore House Café, Poltimore, EX4 0AU

• Welcome from Peter Totteridge, Chair of Poltimore House Trust

• Developing and Increasing your Digital Skills – Jacqueline Ewers, Tech Champion, Digital Culture Network

• Creative Growth Programme – Suzie West, Lead Programme Manager for Devon & Cornwall, Creative UK

• Digital Accessibility & Delivering Inclusive Presentations – Maggie Irving, ACED Inclusion Champion

Register

February Highlights

Tithebarn Sculpture: a contemporary sculpture is now a central feature in front of the newly opened Tithebarn Local Centre on the new development near Exeter Science Park. The sculpture, Chaetonotus, was created by East Devon artist, Martin Staniforth, funded by developer Eagle One Ltd and selected with help from Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG).

Blindspot in Budleigh, The Dog & Donkey, Budleigh Salterton: 15-16.02.25
A fun, comedic show taking place inside a car for up to three passengers. Created by Alright Mate? aiming to normalise conversations about men's mental health. Funded by the Creative East Devon Fund through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Training

Seashell

Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Other training

• East Devon Village Hall Cluster: 6 February, 10.30-12.30, Offwell Village Hall - meet like-minded hall committees to share experiences and get advice.  
• VCSE Support Surgery: 13 February, 11.00-3.00, The Community Waffle House, Axminster - book a 1-2-1 slot with one of our expert team to talk about challenges/goals of your organisation. All welcome.  
• Legal Structures for VCSEs (deep dive): 26 February, 10.00-12.30, online - explore different legal structures that voluntary organisations/social enterprises can adopt.  
• Writing Simple Business Plans (deep dive): 4th March, 10am-12.30pm, online - discover planning tools and a template structure to help you on your way to making a clear, simple plan. 

Sidmouth feedback requested

Sidmouth School of Art would love to hear the views of Sidmouth residents who attended any events of the Sidmouth Makes Art project either as participants or audiences local to Sidmouth:  Feedback form

Artist opportunities

Survey of UK Music Festivals: aims to build a comprehensive view of all UK music festivals. To qualify, an event must have 4 or more acts playing over a day or more. Register your festival.

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: submit your work to the world’s largest open-submission exhibition. Deadline 12.02.25 or when entry limit is reached. Apply

Summer at the Quayside - Artist Call: Building on the success of their previous Summer at the Quayside programmes, Exeter Canal & Quay Trust are looking to commission individuals or organisations to create a family-friendly offer on the Quayside over the summer holidays. Deadline 14.02.25. Apply

Riddler in Residence: Applications are invited from writers, performance poets, storytellers, spoken word artists and lyricists, to become Exeter Cathedral’s final Riddler in Residence. Deadline 17.02.25. Apply

Funding opportunities

The KFC Youth Foundation - grants of £3,000 a year (£6,000 in total) aimed at projects that support young people, 11 to 25 who are in a position of economic disadvantage. Deadline: 14.02.24

The British Council - UK arts and culture professionals are invited to apply for one of five grants for UK festival travel grants of up to £3,000 to visit festivals in mainland China in 2025. Deadline: 16.02.25. 

The Gibbons Trusts- grants for small charities preferably helping East Devon residents to support children and young people, also those living in financial hardship, elderly, or physically or mentally unwell, disabled or affected by learning disabilities. Deadline: 28.02.23 

The Misses Barrie Charitable Trust - provides small grants (£1,000-3,000) with the focus on supporting the arts, young people, old people and people with disabilities or health conditions. Small and medium-sized charities in Devon can apply any time.

Job opportunity or artist call to share? Send it to: aced@eastdevon.gov.uk. More funding and training opportunities and links to resources on ACED website.

Arts and Culture East Devon (ACED) is a network connecting the artistic communities of East Devon and providing a central platform to engage, network, promote and talk about arts and culture across the region.