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The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Performing Arts Fund is delighted to announce that it will be awarding up to £350,000 in grants to the dance sector in 2011 via two brand new schemes – Community Dance and Dance Fellowships.

The fund is a ´óÏó´«Ã½ charity committed to developing new performing arts talent from across the UK. The charity is funded through revenue from the voting lines of ´óÏó´«Ã½ One entertainment programmes. Nearly £3.5million in grants has already been awarded via the fund in the past 8 years.

Launched on 24 May, the Community Dance scheme is now open for applications and will support grassroots dance groups from around the UK. Grants awarded through the scheme will allow groups to carry out training, attract new audiences, encourage new members and raise their profile in their community. Groups can apply for up to £5,000.

The Dance Fellowships scheme will open for applications on the 7 June and is designed to support individuals through the early stages of their dance careers, helping them to establish themselves in the professional world through bespoke placements within dance organisations.

Grants will be awarded to dance companies, organisations, venues and agencies in order to host a ´óÏó´«Ã½ Performing Arts Fund dance fellow. Fellowships will fall into one of three categories: Performer, Choreographer and Producer. The grant will help organisations to pay for the cost of hosting the fellowship and support the individual during this exciting process.

Full details about both schemes will be available on the .

KT

Notes to Editors

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Performing Arts Fund is a registered charity, number 1101276.

The charity (formerly Fame Academy Bursary Trust) was set up in 2003 within the ´óÏó´«Ã½. The Fund receives revenue from the voting lines of ´óÏó´«Ã½ One entertainment programmes that seek to find new performing talent (including Fame Academy, How Do you Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Over The Rainbow).

To date the Fund has allocated nearly £3.5 million to talented performing arts individuals and community groups, as well as offering mentoring and advice to help them achieve their goals.

The Fund's vision is that long-term careers in the performing arts can be achievable and that community groups – given sufficient support and guidance – have a key role to play in the development of new talent.

In 2011 the Fund will be supporting dance groups and individuals for the first time.