Individuals, voluntary organisations and community groups could gain much needed funding for cultural activities with Essex County Council’s Culture in Essex small grants scheme.

With an aim to increase opportunities for more Essex residents to get involved in art and cultural activities and a fund of £25,000 has opened for grant applications.

Applicants will be encouraged to use the funding as a springboard to attract additional support from other funders.

John Spence, Essex County Councillor responsible for heritage, culture and the arts, said: “Support for Culture and Arts remains important even in times of extreme financial challenge.

"Essex County Council’s strategic collaboration with Arts Council England has resulted in a major increase in the flow of funds into the county.

"This scheme, pitched particularly at community groups, is a further weapon in our armoury and I encourage applications from across the county and particularly from those who have not applied before.”

Over the last three years, the council has invested £142,000 in more than 75 projects such as music festivals, carnivals, exhibitions and workshops featuring visual arts, music, dance and literature.

This investment generated more than £500,000 in additional funding from national bodies such as Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund.

Over the last three years, projects supported by the ‘Culture In Essex - Small Grants Scheme’ have resulted in:

• 282,000 people getting involved in projects (average 3,662 people per grant)

• 470 workshops actively engaging residents with arts, culture & heritage • 8,242 school children participating in projects

• 620 volunteers contributing 7,167 hours

The scheme is open for applications for grants of between £250 and £2,500 (excluding projects in Southend and Thurrock) until February 13.

For more information contact the Essex Cultural Development Team on 033301 32470 or visit essex.gov.uk and search for cultural funding.