AN arts group in Chippenham has benefited from more than £8,000 of grants and sponsorships this summer, opening up workshops to more young people.

Rag and Bone Arts provides workshops, classes and projects in art, music and drama, and has been able to hold summer workshops, and have a number of free spaces at a number of groups thanks to the money.

This summer’s art and dance workshops with local dance professionals were sponsored by The Post Office, after Rag and Bone Arts won £1,000 in a competition which celebrates inspirational communities.

Selected from 2,332 entries, Rag and Bone Arts were one of 100 CommonUnity winners, for being a group which makes a difference to the lives of people in their communities.

Director of Rag and Bone Arts, Laura Graham-May, said: “Our group is passionate about inclusion and helping everyone to access our sessions, regardless of their income.

“We deliver dance, art and drama workshops to children in the area during term time, and have received brilliant support recently from the town council and Chippenham Borough Lands Charity.

“The award from the Post Office helped us increase awareness of the different types of performing arts disciplines out there and the potential to get work in this industry.

“By using local dance professionals, we are opening up the world of dance to people from all walks of life, who might otherwise not think to get involved.”

Rag and Bone Arts was also awarded £3,000 from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity for ten free art and dance places for four to 11-year-olds to work with professional dancers and artists, £3,300 from Chippenham Town Council for ten free places in a six-week project-based performance group for 15 to 18-year-olds who want to work on alternative performance work, and an additional £1,200 for easels for life drawing classes.

For more information about sessions, visit: www.ragandbonearts.com.