I was thrilled to be asked to join the Creative East Devon Fund panel earlier this spring to help decide which nine arts and culture projects should be awarded funding.
I was asked to join the panel due to my experience in arts and culture; I’m a journalist, writer, author, musician, and fine art photographer, and it was inspiring to hear about all the creative projects happening here in East Devon.
We deliberated over the range of projects – all of which are making valuable contributions to the local art scene here – for more than two hours.
Here’s the full press release:
East Devon culture organisations and creatives have been provided a lifeline to help fund their cultural project, festival or event through a new round of the fund from Arts & Culture East Devon (ACED).
The Creative East Devon Fund provides discretionary financial support to local art & culture initiatives and projects that demonstrate a commitment to developing the East Devon Cultural Strategy. The scheme is funded by East Devon District Council
Nine art and culture projects in East Devon have been successful with individual grants ranging from £500 up to £3,000. From art workshops for local schools to contemporary dance and storytelling to music workshops supporting the culture offers at Sidmouth Folk Festival, Exmouth Festival, Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival and Exmouth Arts Weekend.
The total funding amounted to £19,810 and the projects all will be completed by March 2027.
The successful applications are all East Devon-based art and culture initiatives: see the full list of beneficiaries including:
Featherdness: a creative project connecting local communities with bird communities living in and around the Lower Otter Estuary through film, sound, creative writing and printmaking, and through walking, sensing and experiencing the Lower Otter Restoration Project site. It will also highlight important work being done in East Devon to increase climate resilience and biodiversity, including the recent pledge by East Devon councillors to recognise and protect the rights of rivers.
East Devon Soul CIC to support their brand new East Devon Soul Festival (3 – 4 July 2026). The Seaton-based festival will feature acts across a multitude of genres including jazz, funk, electronica, ska, and drum and bass. The festival aims to put Seaton on the cultural map, introducing upcoming and established original artists who will bring dynamic music culture to the town, offering original music appealing to all ages.
Simon Strange from East Devon Soul CIC said,
“We are really pleased to receive this funding award. This will help us to put on the inaugural East Devon Soul Festival, supporting upcoming and more established artists across a range of popular music genres. The funding will support us to reawaken Seaton’s cultural life, utilising its fantastic venues and community spirit. “
Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Sport said,
“We are delighted to able to support these new creative initiatives across East Devon. The funded projects will not only enrich the cultural lives of residents but also attract visitors to the area.
We hope our support of The Featherdness project will help to deepen people’s connection to nature in East Devon to increase awareness about environmental change, considering ideas around empathy, interspecies relationships, environmental resilience and rights of nature.”
Councillor Fran McElhone 