It’s that time of year again when young creatives on the Isle of Wight have the opportunity to apply for funding to support their artistic development.
The Mike Howley Trust (more about this below) is offering financial awards to individuals aged 18 to 30 who are pursuing skills in music, dance, theatre, film or writing.
Support for training and development
The funding can be used for a range of creative expenses. Eligible costs include training, coaching, recording, rehearsal space, staging, publishing, instruments and equipment.
Applicants can also request support for conference fees, travel, accommodation or legal costs related to their creative work.
Awards of up to £1,500
Grants of £500, £1,000, and £1,500 are available.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday, 17th February 2025.
Full details, including funding guidelines and application instructions, are available on the Quay Arts website.
Mike Howley’s story
Michael Robin Howley was born in 1930 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. In 1957 he became Branch Librarian in Chichester where he devoted much of his free time to playing violin for the local group of the English Folk Festival and Song Society.
In 1970 Mike moved to the Isle of Wight where he was appointed Deputy Head Librarian. He later became Director of the Isle of Wight Cultural Service, and then served as Director of the Isle of Wight Arts Council. He authored, co-authored, or edited several publications on cultural and historic subjects. From 1997 to 2012 he was Director of the Apollo Theatre Trust.
Mike was known as a consummate musician and accomplished accordionist, with a distinct playing style that helped shape the dances of both Martlet Morris (Chichester), and the Men of Wight of which he was a founder member. Mike Howley died in 2013 in East Cowes.
Awarding grants since 2016
The Trustees of MHT, the guardians of Mike’s legacy, began awarding funds in 2016.
Mike Howley Trust is an independent funder managed by volunteer Trustees to support creativity on the Isle of Wight. Their funding programme is administered by Quay Arts.
For further information contact [email protected]
