14 Jun 2023
In spring 2023 the Ragdoll Foundation held its final grants round: for one of ten Legacy Grants of £10,000 each.
Application for Legacy Grants was by invitation only. The trustees shortlisted applicants from previous and current grant-holders whose projects they felt exemplified the values of the Ragdoll Foundation and what it aimed to achieve through the Open Grants scheme 2016-2022:
In making the selection, the trustees looked for organisations that had previously created, developed, and managed Ragdoll Foundation supported projects of exceptional quality or originality; as well as representing a diversity of artforms, approaches, beneficiaries, themes, and geographical locations in the UK.
In assessing Legacy Grant applications the trustees looked for proposals that:
Following a thorough assessment process, the Ragdoll Foundation trustees awarded Legacy Grants of £10,000 each to eleven organisations:
Cherwell Theatre Company, Banbury, Oxfordshire
To support REACT, an 18-month creative arts project to empower young people to take an active role in the prevention of sexual, gendered, and peer-on-peer abuse in their communities.
Digital Voice for Communities, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
To support If you really knew me, a 12-month digital arts project to amplify the voices of looked-after children and care leavers and support them to enact change.
Drama Express, Hayle, Cornwall
To support a two year development programme to include performing arts masterclasses for young people with additional needs and expanding Drama Express’ reach into more isolated areas of Cornwall.
Filament Projects, Knutsford, Cheshire
To support Forgotten News Desk: Transitions, a 23-month project to develop their previous Ragdoll Foundation small grant project to support children’s transition from primary to secondary school.
Hot Chocolate Trust, Dundee, Angus
To support Huts, an 18-month project in which young people, youth workers and contemporary visual artists collaborate to design, paint, and exhibit temporary artworks, with the aim of building confidence, a sense of ownership and belonging, positive relationships, and creative skills.
Slugtown, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear
To support Slug Club 23-24, a 12-month extension and development of Slugtown’s 2022-23 Ragdoll Foundation supported project, providing an innovative visual arts engagement programme for young people living in a rapidly changing community.
Starlings, Buckfastleigh, Cornwall
To support a two year development programme to expand Starlings’ reach to new locations and beneficiaries, introduce new artforms, and share the Starlings model of integrated participation: children and young people with complex needs working, learning, and creating alongside siblings and families.
The Paper Birds Theatre Company, Maldon, Essex
To support Lead the Way, a six-month pilot to test a new method of co-creation with young people ages 13-18.
The Yard Theatre, Hackney Wick, London
To support YYA Commissions, two new arts collaborations between young people and professional artists working in experimental theatre and performance.
Whippet Up, Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire
To support Festival Wonders, a 12-month programme of workshops and resource creation to develop and embed Whippet Up’s work with children and families in Redcar and Cleveland.
Wren Music, Okehampton, Devon
To support Sing & Play Together, a 12-month programme to introduce young children and their families to high-quality music making, to build confidence, and to use music to build links across generations.
