LONDON.-In November and December a total of £34,180 was awarded by Arts Council England, West Midlands to projects in Herefordshire and Worcestershire through its Grants for the arts scheme.

The Grants for the arts programme in the West Midlands, funded by the National Lottery, awards over £5 million annually to arts projects and is open to a wide range of groups and individuals.

This month’s successful projects cover a wide range of activity across the West Midlands, with over £330,000 being awarded across the region. The Herefordshire based Three Choirs Festival has received an award for the recruitment of a general manager. The festival, established in the 18th century, is the oldest international festival in the world and this year’s event will take place in Worcester from 2-9 August.

Worcester composer Adrian Lucas has received a grant for a project that will include a new piece to celebrate the millennium of St Wulfstan. Worcester Cathedral has commissioned the artist to present the work commemorating one of its founding saints, with local children being taught the new piece for the performance.

Sally Luton, Executive Director of Arts Council England, West Midlands said ‘It is projects such as these which make the West Midlands such a culturally vibrant place to live, and we are proud to be able to continue to support these activities.'