Press releases

Arts Council England awards two Newham projects more than £66,000

Stratford Circus and the London Borough of Newham have received lottery grants from the Arts Council for their new projects over the coming year.

Stratford Circus has received a £45,000 award for the 2009 UPfront East programme, which showcases the best emerging and established talent across music, circus, dance, cabaret and comedy.

This year’s programme will build on the success of 2008, with upcoming highlights including East London based comedian/magician Christian Lee (7 March), Mercury Prize nominee Kathryn Williams (7 February) and a new dramatisation of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘The Mozart Question’ (12 May).

The London Borough of Newham is also taking part in the Arts Council’s Creative services programme and has been awarded £21,650 to deliver its project. The programme aims to find new creative ways to deliver services for young people, and Newham is one of nine boroughs across London taking part in the programme.

The council, working with Theatre Venture, will provide theatre workshops for young people in schools that encourage healthy living. The project hopes to enable schools to use the arts to communicate important messages, as well as helping improve the health of the young people in the borough.

Moira Sinclair, Executive Director of Arts Council England, London said:

‘At Arts Council England we want to place the arts at the heart of everyday lives. These projects present another opportunity for people in Newham to experience some top quality performances, as well as the chance for young people to get involved in activities in schools around the borough.’

Theatre Royal Stratford East is also taking part in our free theatre initiative for young people. For more information on free theatre and participating venues please see the website.