Two City Council-funded arts organisations were awarded major prizes at the Clore Prize fund. The awards were held at the Natural History Museum in London on Wednesday.
“Exeter is increasingly recognised nationally as a city that values arts and culture, a place that produces great art and a great place for artists to work in,” said Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture. “Our congratulations go to the Bikeshed Theatre and Extraordinary Bodies for their achievements.”
Exeter’s Bike Shed Theatre won an award of £50,000 to support their residency programme. Charlie Parker, Executive Director of the Bike Shed said: “"Being recognised in this way by the prestigious Clore Prize Fund means we have an immensely exciting opportunity ahead of us. Emma Stenning the Executive Director of Bristol Old Vic, Chair of Bike Shed Theatre Board and Clore Fellow who applied on behalf of the Bike Shed, is a great inspiration to the theatre. Her generosity has opened up this opportunity to us and we intend to pay it forward directly to the next generation of artists supporting their national ambitions.”
Extraordinary Bodies, based in Dorset, and their show Weighting, which was Unexpected 2013’ s first big commission performed as the finale performance on Cathedral Green to an audience of 4000, was awarded £100,000.
Claire Hodgson, CEO Diverse City and Clore Fellow said : “We are amazed and delighted. Extraordinary Bodies our integrated circus company will tour to 5 UK cities next year and will enable people from all backgrounds, disabled and non disabled, young and older, to participate in circus, song and celebration. We are so grateful for the support of Exeter City Council that enabled us to launch this project.
The Clore Prize fund is a special anniversary fund that celebrates the foundation’s investment in its Leadership programme by backing the most creative and inspirational projects that its Clore Fellows can devise. The Foundations has an interest in human potential and enhancing quality of life and the prize money is directed towards changing people’s lives for the better.
