Swindon Arts Project in National Lottery Awards Semi Final
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A Swindon arts project for people with disabilities, Making it A.R.T., needs your vote this week as it goes head to head with other Lottery-funded projects from across the UK in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2010.
The project, run by Swindon-based Reach Inclusive Arts, is one of only 10 projects to make it through in the Best Arts Project category of The National Lottery Awards, which are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects. All the organisations in the running have already received Lottery funding and the Awards celebrate how they have put that money to good use. People in Swindon are being urged to show their support by casting a vote to help Making it A.R.T. reach the final stage.
The winning project in each of the seven categories will receive national recognition on a star-studded BBC 1 TV show later this year and, in addition to the Lottery funding they have already been awarded, will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.
With the help of Lottery funding, the Making it A.R.T. project enabled young people with disabilities to devise and perform a show, exploring their aspirations for their adult lives. Experienced actors with disabilities peer mentored the young people and encouraged them to tell their own stories in exciting and original ways. The show performed to a packed audience at The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.
Helen Whelehan, Arts Project Manager for Reach Inclusive Arts, says: "We're delighted Making it A.R.T. has reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards. Lottery funding has been essential to this project, which has brought such a great deal of joy to its participants who might otherwise not have a chance to show off their talents. We're really hoping the public gets behind us and votes for us in The National Lottery Awards as it would be fantastic to get national recognition for all the talented participants involved.”
This year's National Lottery Awards are supported by actress Fay Ripley, who attended last year's Awards ceremony, which was broadcast on BBC1. She says: “Lottery players raise £25 million every week, which funds projects and organisations that are making a real difference to people and communities across the UK. The National Lottery Awards recognise the amazing talent and hard work of the people involved in running Lottery-funded projects, so please get behind your local project and vote to give them your support.”
About The National Lottery Awards
The National Lottery Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. The Awards have seven categories – each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: sport; heritage; arts; environment; education; health (in association with iVillage.co.uk) and voluntary/charity (in association with Woman magazine).
Voting for the semi-finals starts at 9am on Tuesday 1 June and ends at midday on Friday 18 June. To cast a vote for Making it A.R.T. call 0844 686 5102 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
The three projects in each category with the highest number of votes will go through to the final round of public voting in July.
Posted Wednesday June 2nd 2010
By Vicci Moyles