RESIDENTS living in villages in and around Droitwich are being urged to enter the Wychavon Village of Culture 2019.
To enter villagers need to put together a programme of cultural activity and the winning area will receive £5,000 to put it on next year.
The two runners up will also receive £1,000 each.
The contest is being run by Wychavon District Council as part of its promise to support and engage with communities and it is hoped it will ‘encourage culture as a catalyst for change’.
Areas need to spell out their own vision and how the funding will be spent by submitting an expression of interest by September 21.
The top three, selected by the Localism and Rural Advisory Panel in early October, will then submit a final bid by November 9 and the decision will be made by the executive board with the result being revealed in December.
Proposed programmes should include a mix of visual arts, literature, music, theatre, heritage, sports and more.
They should appeal to a variety of audiences and lead to a lasting social impact and create a legacy for the area.
The judges will be looking for high quality distinctive and ambitious cultural programmes that build on existing strengths, include partnerships with local organisations and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the area.
Coun Gerry O’Donnell, Wychavon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Development, Culture and Sport, said: “It is well recognised that engaging in cultural activities such as art, music, and theatre, can benefit mental health and wellbeing, and help combat feelings of isolation.
“The district is full of thriving villages with different strengths and the competition is all about building on those to ensure a bright future for residents.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/village-of-culture to fill out an expression of interest form and email Mark Williams at [email protected] for more information.
