The Darlington for Culture Small Grants Scheme
The Success of DfC’s Small Grants Scheme has been recognised by Darlington Borough Council who have agreed to match fund the grant offered by a local business. This provides a total fund of £10,000 per annum to run from 1st August each year.
The fund is jointly managed by Creative Darlington (on behalf of the Council) and DfC who will administer the scheme. Approximately half of the fund each year will be earmarked for innovative proposals that promote footfall in the Town Centre and help meet the aims of the Council’s LoveDarlo initiative. DfC and the Council believe that small grants can help all types of art organisations achieve great things.
The scheme offers grants of up to £500 per applicant each calendar year. A maximum of three awards will be made to any applicant, subject to the DfC commitee’s assessment.
We encourage applications from any person or group with proposals that focus on arts activity in Darlington borough. Combined arts, performing arts and visual arts and exhibitions, theatre, dance and music performances, and participatory arts activities are all eligible to apply. The costs involved in developing arts activity in Darlington (artist’s fees, arts equipment, arts materials, technical support, and space to hold activity, marketing and promotion) will be considered.
For more information, download the DfC grants – guidance and application form
Or to find out more, email Tori Gill at darlo4culturegrants@gmail.com
On this page we list successful applications. The grant winners are asked to provide feedback about how the grant helped their activities and photos for publication here.
The application: Online book launch of Rock God Complex: The Mickey Hunter Story by Tracey Iceton with music performance by Alex Fawcett. The book is a work of fiction centred around a 1970s rock band, Crown & Kingdom and is told as the ghost-written autobiography of the band’s lead guitarist, Mickey Hunter. The publisher Cinnamon Press and the author were keen to promote the book as being the untold story of the world’s greatest forgotten 1970s rock band. The funding was required to create band content for Crown & Kingdom, including a band logo, album art and live recordings of the band’s music, which was to be streamed during the online launch of the novel. The award: £250 Feedback: “The event was a Zoom webinar and replaced the planned live launch and musical performance which was cancelled due to government regulations relating to Covid-19. The launch was hosted by Jan Fortune, founding editor of Cinnamon Press. The event included a talk about Mickey Hunter, the greatest rock guitarist to ever be forgotten, readings from the book, a Q&A and the pre-recorded performance of musician Alex Fawcett covering two songs by Crown & Kingdom, Hunter’s band. “The event successfully launched the newly published book, generating interest in it and the ‘lost gods of 70s music’. Email feedback regarding the launch has been entirely positive and the event has stimulated sales of the book and also, as a secondary outcome, sales for the music of Alex Fawcett thanks to his stunning guitar work being played during the event.” Tracey Iceton
- The event was also recorded and is available for catch-up viewing on the Cinnamon Press website and Vimeo
- Rock God Complex: The Mickey Hunter Story by Tracey Iceton is available from Cinnamon Press
The application: Becky Sunter of The Weaving Rooms and Darlington Market wanted to organise a Darlington Wool Fair to showcase local and regional wool artists, manufacturers and associations. The aim was to highlight various uses of wool by demonstrating techniques including spinning, tapestry, knitting, crochet, weaving and felting. The application was for materials to enable experts to share knowledge and skills with new audiences. The Wool Fair would showcase the benefits of working with wool, for people of all ages, from any background and with any skill levels from novice to experts. The organisers propose that this first event will develop into more regular Wool Fairs in Darlington. The award: £500 Feedback: “It was a joy to be involved with setting up a wool festival. As a weaver and knitter, wool is the material I work with most. I have been to many wool festivals and I have run knitting cafes in Darlington for years, so I know there are many local talented wool producers and makers. It seemed natural to create a day to connect the two. “And what a day it was! Darlington Market Hall was the perfect venue, being in the town centre with plenty of space for stalls and demonstration areas. As soon as the doors opened, the market was filled with interested customers. And they stayed to browse, shop and to have a go on the weaving looms; they stayed to look at the angora rabbits and to talk to people from the guild of spinners dyers and weavers; and they stayed to soak up the atmosphere. “The regular market traders benefitted too, many of them said they’d had their busiest Saturday for a long time. The fabric stall had a particularly busy day as wool and fabric generally attract the same people. “By 4pm we were exhausted but happy knowing that everyone had had a great time and had left with their bags bulging with wool and heads full of ideas. The most asked question during the day was ‘is this going to happen again?’ – so that really is an indication of success.” Becky Sunter
The application: Darlington Music Society (DMS) organised a special concert by the Pelléas Ensemble (flute, harp, viola) for young people at the QE Sixth Form College. This opportunity arose because the group was booked as part of the DMS programme of concerts on Saturday 8th February 2020 at Central Hall, Dolphin Centre; the funding was requested to enable the ensemble to combine that visit to Darlington with a concert for the students the day before. The society hoped the concert would provide an event to remember for a large number of young people and perhaps, for some, an introduction to classical music which will stay with them for life. The award: £500 Feedback: “The Pelléas Ensemble (Luba Tunnicliffe, viola, Henry Roberts, flute and Oliver Wass, harp) performed at the Dance Studio at QE College. There were students from QE (about 25), Carmel College (about 15) and Reid Street (about 20). The Pelléas played extracts from their Saturday programme, interspersed with explanatory talks. Many perceptive questions were put by the audience and a number of students stayed on at the end chatting to the artists.” Darlington Music Society representative
The application: DCS extended its scope to include arts and cultural activity, in additon to language classes. They requested funding to support the hire costs of Hummersknott Academy for extra time to run arts/culture events. The award: £500 Feedback: DfC committee member Julie Vickerman attended the Darlington’s Chinese school’s Chinese New Year party at Hummersnott Academy 25th January 2020. She was very warmly welcomed and it was an opportunity to see some of the work the school has been doing, including artwork, singing, playing musical instruments and dancing. Julie said: “The smallest children were a particular delight with their enthusiastic singing and dancing as they wished everyone Happy New Year.”
Feedback: “We originally set out to do 10 two-hour workshops for up to 50 school age students each. We had so many requests for workshops we ended up doing 25 in four months and visited: Marchbank; Redhall; Reid Street; Carmel College; Mowden; Staindrop; High Conniscliffe; Heighington. “All workshops were very well received, and we taught 45-60 students at each, so about 1250 pupils benefited from the experience. All workshops entailed singing and dancing and learning a five-minute routine. The pupils also performed with gymnastic dance ribbons which brought life and colour to the routine. “The children really enjoyed the experience and each school was amazed at how much they learned in a short space of time. Some of the schools carried on practising after we had left and did a mini show in assembly later for the whole school. “Thank you again for providing the grant to allow us to carry out the project.” Joanne and Paul
The application: Continuation of maintenance work that started in 2018 (see Darlington Piano Society – Steinway model B), especially re-voicing, for Darlington’s Steinway Grand Piano. It is used in recitals organised by Darlington Piano Society and Darlington Music Society. The award: £500 Feedback: “All the commissioned work was completed during September/October 2019 with new castors fitted to the piano, and the replacement of all internal work on hammers, backstops and knuckles (effectively all elements between keyboard and strings) was also completed. The piano has been re-voiced and the performers on it so far have been very complimentary; including the eminent Martin Roscoe who said it sounds even better than it did on his last visit to Darlington in October 2017 (before any maintenance work was undertaken). “The work has been carried out by David Peake who is technician/tuner for pianos at Sage Gateshead and he will be our tuner from this season onwards.” Darlington Piano Society
The application: The format presents music and visual art in one evening, summer 2019. An important aspect of the project is that, before the event opens to the public, artists meet around noon on the day and work collaboratively to set up the exhibition. Some artists will be showing work not exhibited before sothey have the opportunity to talk about how/where it should be exhibited. During the exhibition set up, musicians sound check, which allows for crossover conversations about the artworks and music. In future iterations of the event, the organisers would like to explore further how to make connections between the two disciplines. The award: £400 Feedback: “The award meant we could use a town-centre venue and didn’t have to charge admission to the event. The bands were of a very high calibre and the crowd were really receptive. The art attracted all sorts of people who otherwise wouldn’t have come, not least because the contemporary art was to a very high standard. “Some of the artists involved have collaborated together since AudioVisual, which I am very pleased about as I feel that the event met my personal aims of allowing artists to meet other practitioners in the area and forge/establish connections and a creative network.” Sam Kennedy
The application: The Opus 4 Jazz Club is in its 15th year of operation at the Travellers’ Rest pub in Cockerton. It provides monthly modern jazz concerts and the programming ambitions present opportunities to book more prominent acts who are travelling some distance. Venue capacity is limited so funding must come from elsewhere instead of audience development. The award will cover a funding deficit on fees against ticket sales. It will support seven concerts from April to December 2019 with anticipated total audience of 240 (venue capacity limited) and with 37 musicians. The award: £500 Feedback: Sue Ferris Quintet performed on 26 April, Andrea Vicari Trio performed on 10 May (pictured), Paul Donnelly Quartet played on 14 June and The Riviera Quartet on 14 July 2019. The funding means that Opus 4 Jazz Club is able to pursue its longstanding aim of programming the best of modern jazz in Darlington. The club has demonstrated that there is a strong local demand from audiences for performance of this type.
The application: Online radio station Darlo Radio wanted to promote more events supporting musicians and develop its live outside broadcasts to provide a wider audience. The application was for funding to buy equipment and expand its presenter and IT support. The award: £500 Feedback: “The grant has enabled Darlo Radio to purchase equipment to extend its reach outside the studio and offer live-broadcasting opportunities to the Darlington community. Local artists (see photos) have had the opportunity to perform their music live on Darlo Radio from locations other than the studios. This has encouraged more local artists to contact us about future events and we are working closely with other groups to continue with the live broadcasting. “Additional benefits have been providing music and PA facilities for: Darlington Food Festival; indoor market Vegan Festival; St Teresa’s Hospice’s Bark in the Park (helping to raise £10k); St Teresa’s Hospice Colour Run (helping to raise £12k). “None of this would have been possible without the DfC grant. We will continue to help promote local artists using the equipment purchased.” Phil Osborne, Programme Director
The application: Darlington-based music collective Tracks proposed curating and releasing a ‘Noisy Daughters’ compilation album featuring new female artists from the North East on local record label Butterfly Effect. The vinyl would feature at least two female artists from Darlington with a large high-profile launch event. This was initially planned for late 2018 but then moved to be part of Darlington Arts Festival 2019; the event was held at Voodoo Cafe on 17 May 2019. The DfC funding went towards costs of pressing and marketing 250 records. Any profits made from the launch event and vinyl sales will go towards match funding to run a Noisy Daughters project for female musicians in 2019. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “Everyone’s feeling towards the event and the goals of the project were overwhelmingly positive. We had many people come over and say how much they enjoyed the event, the buzz of enjoying music in a packed room of passionate people, and offering huge support for everything Noisy Daughters is doing for the local music scene.” Tracks representative
The application: Following the first BG event in 2018, and with the increasing popularity in comedy events for adults, it was decided to include part 2 Belly Giggles in the Darlington Arts Festival in May 2019. The format encourages children to experience stand-up comedy and have a go at wrting and telling jokes, sketches etc. Children do not have to get up on stage if they don’t want to but they can try out the workshop to gain some confidence first and the aim is to have lots of fun at a comedy event just for them. The grant was required for hall hire, printing publicity leaflets, buying disposable paper props – because they got covered in cream! The award: £200 Feedback after the event: “There were plenty of helpers, and relatives joining in with the children’s event and the compere wrote a lot of jokes and impressions for the children to enjoy. We also had two volunteers helping at the workshop. We received very positive feedbacks in the comments book; particluarly from two support workers who attended with a child with special needs. There were not as many chidlren participating as we would’ve liked to see, but everyone there enjoyed themselves a great deal.”
The application: Cassie Cooper of Manic Mum Days Events (Facebook page) wanted to organise a family-friendly ceilidh event in May 2019. It’s a ceilidh with a mixture of all types of music and dance styles for all ages to join in. The proposal identifies budget will be allocated to the costs of live music, a band or musician to lead the ceilidh and the hire of the venue – Bondgate Church Hall. The award: £500 Feedback: “We had around 15 families engage in our family ceilidh and lots of them had never been to one before. The whole room was alive with the amazing sounds of ‘Blind Panic’ ceilidh music and the steps were easy to follow and guided brilliantly by the lovely caller. “To see lots of children and families smiling and laughing was brilliant and the church hall at Bondgate made the perfect location with lots of space to move. I am incredibly grateful for the support from DfC, a huge thank you on behalf of all the people who got to come and enjoy a fun family occasion and try something different!” Cassie Cooper, event organiser
The application: Darlington New Orleans Jazz (DNOJ) has been supporting live New Orleans-influenced jazz in Darlington for over 20 years. The aim is to bring the highest-quality New Orleans jazz to the town with bands and musicians from around the UK, from the USA and Europe, and even from Australia. A small grant award was sought to help secure the financial future for the coming year as the club has programmed the highest number of bands in one year to date, including bands and musicians from New Orleans itself. The award: £500 Feedback from the club: Saturday 6th April 2019 saw the first event since the small grant award with the Savannah Jazz Band, a firm favourite of DNOJ, playing to a capacity audience. On Saturday 13th April, Shades of Jazz gave an outstanding performance. This is a group of first-class musicians, again highlighting the quality of bands and musicians attracted to Darlington New Orleans Jazz. The New Century Ragtime Orchestra appeared on Saturday 4th May with special guests Enrico Tomasso on trumpet and Nick Ward on drums. This promises to be another outstanding day of classic jazz from the 1920s. Saturday 18th May 2019, in association with Darlington Arts Festival, saw the return of popular American pianist Jeff Barnhart with his Hot and Sweet quartet with Jeff on Piano, his wife Ann on Flute and vocals, Tom (Spats) Langham on banjo and guitar and Graham Smith on Drums. This really is a world-class quartet.
The application: Darlington Film Club proposed screening a film featuring Robin Askwith, followed by his one-man show on 1st April 2019. Darlington Film Club have organised many special events of this type (screenings including visits from those involved in the film) at The Forum Music Centre. And funding was sought as part of the overall project budget, to cover fees for the guest appearance by Robin Askwith, plus train travel and hotels for Robin and his agent. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “This was Robin Askwith’s fourth visit to Film Club, and as always he put on a great show. More than 60 people attended, and it was a fantastic evening with Robin telling us all sorts of stories from his amazing 50-year career in film, theatre and show business. “Not only were the stories entertaining but there were also some true tales about Robin’s close friend Sir Ian Botham who just so happened to be in the audience to laugh along with the crowd. “Thank you so much to Darlington for Culture for the small grant to help this event. It’s been a pleasure to work with DfC and we look forward to screening a film for the Darlington Arts Festival in May.” James Watson of Darlington Film Club
The application: Broken Scar Productions has developed a variety of films, working with or involving Darlington-based talent. This project ‘Sparrowhawk’ used Darlington interior and exterior locations, although the plot is not set in the town; and the funding was to assist with production costs and distribution. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “Both the launch at Durham Gala [pictured] and the screening at The Forum in Darlington, which took place on Monday 3rd December 2018, were packed. The film has now been entered into various film festivals (nationally and internationally) and will be shown in York in February and the Keswick Film Festival in March.” Mike Tweddle, director of Broken Scar Productions.
The application: The applicant from Univided Pictures is developing two short films, which are based in Darlington and will be used to pitch a TV series and feature film. They wanted to hold a one-day workshop with actors from the region to develop the scripts for both further. The applicant is in talks with Film Hub North and this has been suggested as the next step before they apply for funding for the short films. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “This workshop was the last stage in development of a new comedy/drama set in Darlington. It enabled us to visit the potential location, and have professional actors explore themes and aspects surrounding the script. Having fresh eyes helped us take the script to a new level and we look forward to raising the funds to begin filming in the town.” Dalton Deverell
The application: To deliver an acting-for-film five-day workshop during autumn half-term Oct/Nov 2018, for children and young people aged 11 to 18 years, designed to develop understanding of writing and acting for film. Funding was required to support room hire and marketing costs. The applicant Susie Potter has six years of experience teaching drama to children and young adults while employed by Stage Coach, Little Voices and teaching privately for LAMDA. The award: £250 Feedback after the event: “This week-long workshop had four attending, so it was smaller than I had hoped. However, through this I’ve had lots of interest about running another course in the February half-term so I’m going to look into that. “We had a fab week, the students all filmed monologues to camera and we made a short horror film on the Wednesday as it was Halloween. And I’ve had great feedback from the parents. “One photo is of students practising their monologues to the mirror as it’s always good to know what your own face is doing. One is a fun shot from Halloween, one is of Frazer who was my youngest student and very good actor; the other is his sister Kalila, another good actor and Harry Potter fan.” Susie Potter
The application: Darlington Piano Society applied for an award to go towards maintenance and servicing work required on the Steinway model B piano, based at Central Hall. The piano is used for all Darlington Piano Society recitals by professional musicians – ranging from those beginning their careers through to pianists of national and international standing – and it is used by the Darlington Music Society for a number of its chamber music recitals. The piano needed an overhaul to return it to concert standard. The award: £467 Feedback after the event: “Extensive work was carried out on 2nd August 2018 by a piano technician who was trained by Steinway in Hamburg and who looks after all Steinways at the Royal Northern Music College in Manchester. Piano components have been cleaned extensively, hammers ‘reshaped’ and adjusted, the action regulated to remove unevenness, and the ‘voicing’ of the piano improved. “The technician sent a report to the society and it reflected that the performers will find an enormous improvement in the piano. The support from the DfC Small Grants award is much appreciated by both societies, and I’m sure all our listeners will notice too.” Greg Johnson, Chairman, Darlington Piano Society
The application: Humantics CIC aimed to promote a weekly after-school club called “The Song Club Sessions” to be held one weekday between 4.30pm and 6.30pm during term time. Humantics wanted like to deliver a series of ‘’Song Club’’ sessions for 14- to 17-year-olds. The idea is to give young musicians and aspiring writers an opportunity to develop skills in a variety of areas. The grant was to help support the cost of Live Performance Nights. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “Thanks to a £500 grant from Darlington For Culture, we were able to fund a performance evening for the young people who attended our first term of weekly Wednesday Song Club Sessions at the Forum. “The evening was a huge success with and was well attended by the families and friends of the students. It was wonderful to see them working so well together to showcase their many musical talents. Thanks to everyone involved in this amazing experience.” Spokesperson from The Forum
The application: Adam planned to attend a thangka art course at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, from 1st to 5th December 2017, with the world-renowned thangka teacher Andy Weber, to improve his skills in this art and further his understanding of Tibetan culture. Then the aim was to organise an exhibition to bring a taste of Tibet to Darlington, revealing the skill and intricacy that goes into making a painting and the significance of the symbolism found within the art. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “I found the course extremely beneficial, insightful and interesting. I gained knowledge and skills that I was able to use to create a body of work to present to the town during the Darlington Arts Festival 2018 in an exhibition at the Town Hall, which ran from 21st May to 13th July. “Although I have not sold any prints I did have an enquiry as to how to get started with this art, so I was able to direct someone about how to begin learning this art, which was great.” Adam Plumb
The application: This project was an important development for Vane Women as it moved away from the traditional type of literary event. The aim was to create a multimedia performance to enhance the readings and attract a wider audience throughout Darlington and the Tees Valley. The group wanted to include a film based on their work for the ‘Tell Her Story’ exhibition in 2017, particularly in this important anniversary year for Women’s Suffrage. The 12 members of Vane Women worked with film-maker Jason Berge on the project. He created 12 short films, each inspired by one of the paintings in the 2017 exhibition. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “The event was a great success and took place during Darlington Arts Festival on 30th May at Crown Street Gallery. It was an informal promenade performance with a glass of wine provided. The films and projected images were shown in one area, readings and live music took place in another. We performed to a capacity audience of 30 people, and the feedback has been positive and encouraging. “Working with other artists has been a very happy collaboration and opened new avenues of creative endeavour for us. We achieved our aims creatively and artistically and it also enabled us to attract a wider audience. We very much appreciate the support we received from Darlington for Culture and assistance provided by Stephen Wiper at DBC and Michaela Wetherill, who curated the ‘Tell Her Story’ exhibition.” Chris Powell, for Vane Women
The application: Open day at the Forum Music Centre Sunday 4th February 2018. Humantics CIC were awarded funding from the National Lottery to upgrade and redecorate their band rehearsal rooms/meeting and training rooms and recording studio. They intended to celebrate the refurbishment alongside Independent Venues week by organising an open day for all members of the community. Their small arts grant application is focused on securing funding to assist in the cost of the well-known bands and entertainment they are scheduling for the open day/launch. The award: £500 Feedback after the event: “The open day went extremely well with around 100 people attending on the day to look around our refurbished facilities and enjoy live music from local artists. The Recording Studio Workshops and Song Club Session Tasters proved very popular and we are looking forward to encouraging more young people to engage in live music. “Thanks to our DFC grant, we were able to continue into the evening with live performances from Max Bianco from the Jar Family and James Leonard Hewitson and his band The Relevant People to coincide with Independent Venue Week.” Spokesperson from The Forum