Tour de France Chance for Yorkshire Bands!

Published in General on 2013-09-13 by Empty Chairs

More news from Brass Bands England

The Tour de France is the world’s largest annual sporting event, regularly drawing crowds from all over the world and reaching a television audience of hundreds of millions across 188 countries.

In 2014, the “Grand Départ”, which is the launch of the whole event, takes place in Yorkshire. For the first time, Welcome to Yorkshire and Arts Council England are developing an ambitious and exciting cultural festival will run alongside the sports event, making the most of the vast and varied audiences. The event takes place next year on the 5^th and 6^th of July, with the festival – working title “Grand Depart Cultural Festival” – running from 100 days before the Tour arrives, beginning the 27^th March.

The Festival aims to draw communities and artists together to celebrate the Grand Départ as it passes through the largest county in the UK.

Key opportunities for bands are in exposure, and in the opportunity to bid for funds and gain media coverage. Three themes cover the focus of the festival:

• True Grit – Creative expressions of physical skill, courage and determination

• Yorkshire “en Fète” – Creative Transformations of Yorkshire’s culture, heritage and landscape, urban, rural and coastal. Creative celebrations of the bicycle, its green credentials, and the Grand Départ in our county

• World Class Yorkshire – Focus on Yorkshire’s vibrant and innovative artists, arts organisations and members of its creative industries

There will be 20 Community Commissions, of an award value of between £5,000 and £10,000, for memorable arts experiences which enable community-centred arts activity. Twenty “Peloton Programme” events for new productions or premieres will receive high profile marketing and public relations support. Be aware that both these programmes have a deadline of 14^th October for expressions of interest.

The “Sportive” Programme events are an opportunity to publicise existing arts events, concerts, open days, contests..any event which could be of interest to the crowds of spectators. Projects will receive an online marketing profile and be able to use the Sportive identity. The requested deadline for expressions of interest is 21^st October.

All Yorkshire-based bands and other arts organisations may apply to be part of this grand festival. Collaborative projects are welcome.

For further details, see www.letouryorkshire.com/culturalfestival

If any bands would like advice on making the most of this opportunity, please contact Rachel Veitch-Straw, Brass Bands England Liaison Officer, via Rachel@brassbandsengland.co.uk

Are there any artistic opportunities for bands in other parts of the country? Can your band link to any sporting events? Please share your successes and advice via Twitter, Facebook, websites and publications.