Cultural projects in Essex can benefit from up to £2,500 through Essex County Council’s Culture in Essex Small Grants Scheme.

Individuals, voluntary organisations and community groups who operate cultural projects for the benefit of people in the county are eligible to apply, and the next deadline for applications is 31 March, 2015.

Those who benefited from the last round of awards included Colchester Chinese Culture Society, who were awarded £2,000 for their Chinese Community Drumming Project. This provided a combination of open family workshops, training and development opportunities for young musicians and an associated performance at the 2015 Chinese Gala in the Mercury Theatre as part of Chinese New Year festivities.

County Councillor Roger Hirst, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Libraries, Planning and the Environment, said: “Once again, as the Essex Small Grants Scheme draws to a close, I am delighted to recognise the diversity of the organisations who have already received a grant through the scheme.

"Representing differing age groups, our vibrant ethnic communities and those facing challenges due to disability, grant recipients have invested in projects to bring both even more art and culture to the county to enjoy.

"The deadline for applications to the final round of Small Grants has not yet passed, and I urge more organisations to consider applying for projects that can be helped off the ground.”

Recipients in the last round of awards included:

 • £1,900 to a group of emerging young artists. Led by James Torble, the ‘Radio Still Loves You’ project is a month-long contemporary art exhibition in Chelmsford celebrating the city’s broadcasting heritage

• £1,400 to the Outside-In project where pupils from Chelmer Valley High School art club design and create an art installation that celebrates Essex’s natural environment. They will then pitch their designs to High Chelmer who will display the work. The creation of this will promote Essex’s countryside while teaching students creative and business skills

• £2,000 to the Rickshaw Art Project in Tendring that aims to restore and decorate an authentic rickshaw in a community arts participation project linked with outdoor performances that will tour Essex

• £1,500 to Saffron Walden Museum Society for the ‘Uttlesford: A Community of Collectors’ project to engage Uttlesford District residents with museum practice.

• £1,800 to Living with Luke, a play that explores the relationship between a father and his autistic son, adapted from the blogs by Danson Thunderbolt

The next deadline for applications is March 31, and the application form and guidance notes for Essex County Council’s Culture in Essex Small Grants Scheme are available online here.