The Mohn Westlake Arts Engagement Fund 2022

The Mohn Westlake Arts Engagement Fund aims to engage young people with art and the arts. Focusing on young people who may not easily access opportunities to enjoy art and the arts, the Fund supports projects including visual arts, combined arts, literature, dance, music and theatre. 

In spring 2022, the second round of the Fund invested £105,000 into 5 Community Organisations in Leeds. 

The organisations that were awarded funding are: 

• • • • Balbir Singh Dance Company 
      • Brave Words CIC 

• • • • Dance Action Zone Leeds 
      • Mafwa Theatre 
      • tutti frutti productions 

The funded projects include: 

• • • • A series of creative dance workshops, arts events and performances bringing to life the science of nutrition, bone health and wellbeing. Co-created by children, teachers and artists, the project includes a final exhibition and performance at Thackray Medical Museum. 
      • Youth Theatres that use drama, character, script work and storytelling to support children’s wellbeing, improve literacy levels, and raise confidence and communication skills. 
      • Using dance, movement and digital media to allow young people with a learning disability to explore their feelings and aspirations, while gaining a qualification. The project will include a one-minute documentary series and podcast. 
      • A play using puppets and song to portray experiences of seeking sanctuary in Britain. The play will explore why people move to Britain and the lives they create when they arrive, humanising stories of welcome to inspire and engage young people through the arts. 
      • The development and delivery of a 3-year programme of free arts and cultural activities for primary aged children in Gipton and Harehills. 

In addition to these projects, the Fund is also supporting LEEDS 2023 to develop and deliver a project that will engage local artists to experiment with co-creation and ways of working post-pandemic. This project aims to enrich the creative voice within the heart of Leeds’ communities. 

A third round of The Mohn Westlake Arts Engagement Fund is set to open for applications in the autumn of 2022, and will support even more activity engaging young people in art and the arts. 

For more information on grants awarded, visit the What We’ve Funded page.