The call has already gone out to all of the borough’s organisations and residents who are looking to take part in Sutton’s 2016 Imagine Festival – the largest festival of the arts in the borough. Grants of up to £800 are available to help them realise their ambitions, but applicants must act fast – there are only a few days left before applications close on Monday 4 July!

Sutton’s largest festival of the arts will offer a number of events based around the works of writer HG Wells, who lived in the borough during some of his most successful years. For one group or individual the grant can rise to £1,500 if they wish to combine the Wells theme with the borough’s ongoing commemorations of the centenary of World War One. And of course there is the chance for a grant to be match funded by Arts Network Sutton!

HG Wells lived and wrote during both world wars which often filtered into his most accomplished works. He once wrote: ‘human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe’ (from The Outline of History, 1920) and many of his works inspired science and the wider arts in themes of space, politics and travel. The aim of this year’s festival is to celebrate the great works of Wells in Sutton’s libraries and heritage sites. These projects and events should encourage communities to participate in artistic and cultural activities that grow skills and create lasting memories, while offering quality arts experiences that are ambitious and innovative.

‘So far…we have plans for a time travel disco, late night at the library, Invisible Man shadow puppetry performances, War of the Worlds radio broadcast, music workshops, sci fi drama, creative reactions event with scientist and artists coming together, time travel sound installations, site specific sculptural workshops and exhibition, as well as street art, all celebrating the work of HG Wells,’ said a spokesperson.

‘Hopefully this has inspired some ideas, and maybe you can offer something outside of these projects? We invite work that stands out and utilises our libraries and heritage buildings, but we are open to applications celebrating other locations. However, these events should lead people back to Sutton’s libraries in some form.’

Details
For more information visit: www.sutton.gov.uk/arts. Also follow Imagine on flickr, twitter @SuttonCouncil and like Imagine on facebook/lovesutton. Disclaimers apply, for full details see:
IMAGINE