Sky Arts announce new fund for artists

from Cathy Newbery:

Sky is to expand further its support for the arts in the UK and Ireland with the launch of a major new programme to support new arts projects and emerging artists. 

The programme involves the creation of a new arts fund, Sky Arts Ignition, with two distinct and complementary strands: The Sky Arts Ignition Series and Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund.

More info and applications online at www.sky.com/skyartsignition

The Sky Arts Ignition Series will seek to collaborate with six arts organisations over the next three years in the creation of brand new works. For each of the chosen projects, Sky Arts will provide a cash investment of up to £200,000 and work with the arts partners to bring their projects to a wider audience, using Sky's platform.

In parallel, the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund is designed to help young talent to bridge the development gap from school or college to becoming a working artist. Each year, the fund will support five individuals with a bursary of £30,000 each, enabling Sky Arts to back the creation of new works of art as well as nurture emerging talent.

Director Richard Eyre , who has supported and consulted on the development of the Sky Arts Ignition Series, noted: "This is an exemplary partnership between a broadcaster and the arts. I hope Sky's model will be copied. It's to everyone's advantage."