Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

WC continues a West Wiltshire District Council scheme.

Art workshops led by professional artists will be available to community groups in Wiltshire for only £30 plus material costs.

Wiltshire Council runs the Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme (PAWS), which allows organisations including youth groups, older people's clubs, disability groups, homelessness projects, environmental groups and after school clubs to apply to take part in an arts project spread over two to four sessions. The workshops available in this scheme include mosaic making, wild and wonderful weaving, Konnakol vocal percussion, music composition and improvisation, silk painting, clay work, sculpture, animation, felt making, pinhole photography, illustrate your point, puppet making and storytelling.

Groups must have at least 10 people who want to take part and have access to a suitable venue. There may be additional costs for materials and equipment.

Deadline for applications to the scheme, which is running until September 2010, is midnight on April 16th. Groups making applications need to state which workshop they would like to take part in, the nature of the group applying, who will benefit from the project, where the workshop will take place, preferred dates and whether they have participated in a PAWS project before.

Wiltshire Council's arts development officer Meril Morgan said: "We have seen hundreds of people of all ages from across Wiltshire enjoying arts activities in their own community. The main aim of the scheme is to encourage everyone to try something new and the programme offers a wide range of workshops. The sessions are very popular and the deadline for applications is April 16th. So I would urge anyone interested in receiving the new menu of future projects to get in touch as soon as possible."

To find out more about PAWS, people can contact Meril Morgan on 01249 770531 or meril.morgan@wiltshire.gov.uk

This scheme dates back to when I was the cabinet member covering the arts circa 2003. It has always had a good take-up and positive feedback from those that have used it. If you're not sure whether or not it would suit your group, get in touch with Meril and she will be able to help you.