Community groups benefit from £17,555 funding

TWO Dundee community groups will benefit from £17,555 of new funding for creative activities.

Front Lounge, based in the Hilltown, received £8,475 for its latest project, JAM-D – a summer graffiti festival.

Leading up to the festival, young people will have the opportunity to engage in a series of sessions where they can learn the skills to design and safely make quality graffiti art.

Chika Inatimi, of Front Lounge, welcomed the funding, which will support local arts in the Year of Young People.

She said: “Front Lounge is delighted that our JAM-D project has achieved a successful award from the CashBack Arts Fund. We will use graffiti, photography and music to celebrate young people, their communities, creativity and the Year of Young People. “It’s going to be a great summer.” City centre-based dance organisation Shaper/Caper also received funding of £9,080.

This will go towards the production of “Hubbub” – a creative dance and digital project for young people aged 10-24.

It is intended to provide the participants with a chance to be independent by celebrating the arts and linking these activities to other local initiatives via connections with the creative industries thriving in Dundee, such as the gaming and arts sectors.

Yolanda Aguilar, director of operations at Shaper/Caper, said: “Shaper/ Caper is delighted to continue the partnership with YouthLink Scotland and Creative Scotland through the CashBack for Creativity fund.

“We are looking forward to another year of exciting, creative collaborations with young people and partners thanks to CashBack’s support.”

The CashBack for Creativity Open Fund has awarded a total of £252,000 to 32 community-based arts project across the country.

Night Ministry Angels have been helping homeless people in Dundee which is experiencing an increased number of rough sleepers. PAGE 16

Graffiti artist Mega at work.