Funding Boost For Arts In East Cambridgeshire

THE future of the arts in East Cambridgeshire has been given a boost after the district council agreed a new package of funding for the charitable arts organisation, ADeC. The group, which plays a key role in supporting a range of community arts projects

THE future of the arts in East Cambridgeshire has been given a boost after the district council agreed a new package of funding for the charitable arts organisation, ADeC.

The group, which plays a key role in supporting a range of community arts projects in the district, received a funding grant of �104'242 from the community services committee to allow it to continue to expand its work over the coming year.

In the last financial year the group attracted more than 4000 people to one of a range of events, but it is hoping to increase that figure to 19,000 for the coming year, an ambitious increase of more than 400 per cent.

ADeC is responsible for running community programmes like the Fen Jam Youth Music Project and also manages the Babylon Gallery on Ely Waterside.

In the coming year the group hopes to introduce a range of new initiatives and ADeC director Jane Wilson, said: "There was very positive support from across the board for ADeC's work and the current and future plans for the arts service in East Cambridgeshire."

Cllr Anna Bailey, who voted in favour of continuing ADeC's funding, said: "I would like to thank the staff and committee members at ADeC for continuing to deliver on their promises even through difficult times.

"The council is extremely lucky to have ADeC to deliver their arts services and I think the group represents very good value for money.