Great news in from Melanie Swan about new funding for this fantastic project. Ed
A group of Isle of Wight artists and craftspeople are celebrating their success in gaining a fantastic £10,000 grant from Awards for All funding.
This is for a Project starting on the Isle of Wight, delivering a Community Arts Development programme for families living with autism and which aims to produce a London event in 2012.
They set up the ‘No Man is an Island’ organisation after learning about the Cultural Olympiad last autumn.
“We were so inspired by the ideals it represents that we decided to dare the impossible and aim to get to London for 2012!” said the Project Manager, Melanie Swan. “We want to share and celebrate the unique talents and creativity of families who live with autism and we’ll be working to encourage and include others along the way, both on the Isle of Wight and across the region.”
The No Man is an Island group will provide creative opportunities for families living with autism and the chance to take part in exhibitions at the Island’s Quay Arts and other galleries.
“The grant will enable us to develop the pilot for a programme of events we’ll be working deliver across the region” said Melanie “and we’re looking forward to working with the many organisations and individuals who want to collaborate with us.”
They already have the support of local and national organisations across the Arts, Sporting and Disability sectors, including Quay Arts, the Isle of Wight Island Games Association and the newly formed and thriving Isle of Wight Branch of the National Autistic Society.
‘No Man is an Island’ held events on the Isle of Wight to mark the Paralympic Handover Day last September and the ‘Open Weekend’ which marked the launch of the Cultural Olympiad. They will be taking part in the ‘Open Weekend’ again this year (24th-26th July).
“We held Open Weekend events at Quay Arts and Naturezones last year and we’re looking forward to doing the same again in July” said Sarah Talbot, Associate Project Manager.
The Group has applied to be included as part of the Cultural Olympiad’s Inspire programme and aim to formally launch their Project at the end of May. “We’re so excited to be able to be able to take our dream forward and getting this award has given our young people fantastic encouragement and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
