Arts Council grant to support new grassroots music programme at the Dugdale

The £30k grant will fund an “exciting transformation” at the Enfield arts venue, where a new space for young musicians and producers will be created

Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC) has been awarded a £30,000 grant to create a “vibrant live music performance zone”.

The grant from the Arts Council’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund has been awarded to the borough’s flagship cultural hub in Enfield Town.

It will see an “exciting transformation” at the Dugdale, where an underutilised area will be converted into a space for young musicians and producers to “perform and develop their talent”.

There will also be upgrades to existing facilities and music equipment across the venue to enhance quality and support frequent music events.

The project aims to address the need for more grassroots music venues and performance opportunities for young and early-career musicians in the borough.

Edward Smith, the council’s cabinet member for council assets and culture, said: “The DAC has always been a space that nurtures and champions emerging talents. This is a place where creativity, culture and community come together to create and thrive.

“Thanks to the grant from Arts Council, we can invest back into our community, build on DAC’s growing programme of diverse music events and truly support the thriving music scene in Enfield, increasing access to live music events for local audiences.

“With this grant funding, we can support homegrown talent and address the need for music spaces in Enfield.”

Supported by Nine Point Eight, DAC will also now partner with one of London’s largest music event venues, Drumsheds at Meridian Water, plus other local organisations, to offer paid opportunities, industry masterclasses, networking events and a mentoring programme to local emerging talents, including producers and technicians.

Cultural events and music programmer Lexy Morvaridi will be joining the team to produce the programme; Lexy was previously contemporary music programmer at Southbank Centre. Edmonton-based rapper Nine Levels, and DJ & MC Academy founder Krissy Simms, are on board as project ambassadors.

In addition, the Arts Council grant will enable the delivery of a twelve-month programme of live music events, showcasing local and emerging talents at DAC.

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