NEW Covid-19 grants have been created for local creative and arts groups to help support them through the third national lockdown.

Bradford Council has set up Response 2, following on from the first Response grants which were provided in the first national lockdown ten months ago.

The new small grants programme will provide lump sums of up to £1,500 to support the creative and community sector to develop ideas and tools to support families that are home schooling, both online and offline so that all families can be supported regardless of whether they have internet access or not.

In the first lockdown last March, 55 local artists, creatives and cultural groups were handed grants to support them through the Covid-19 pandemic. It was designed recognising the crucial role the arts and culture sector plays in the Bradford district and address the challenges they have faced.

Bradford Council said the groups helped in the first grants programme have shown an “astonishing display of trademark Bradford grit and resilience, with great creative flair to match”.

“Individuals and groups supported through Response have served Bradford’s communities in many different ways –they’ve also inspired and entertained the district, and wider world, during these darkest of days.”

Groups applying for funding are required to present projects that will support home learning for children aged five to 18, with a particular focus on offline resources and activities families can do at home.

Artists, organisations and groups are invited to apply, and only those based in the Bradford district are eligible.

The maximum amount groups can receive is £1,500 and the minimum is expected to by no lower than £500.

Groups have until 5pm on Wednesday, February 3, to apply, and to submit a funding application, click here.

For further information, artists and groups are asked to email the Events team