by Author Katharine Lane

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Our Big Gig - Together through Music

Superact are pleased to announce our new project Our Big Gig which is a community music celebration which takes place across the UK from the 11th- 14th July 2013. This annual event aims to bring communities together to celebrate their local musical talents and get more people involved in music making.

All Our Big Gig events are organised by local volunteers, on the ground, in their communities with support from Superact’s Regional Managers.  All events are at least 4 hours long, are free for people to attend and will provide opportunities for people to participate in a range of musical activities.

The project is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government and Arts Council England via their Grants for the Arts programme which is funded by the National Lottery.

Superact is looking for over 275 local Community Event Organisers across the UK to be part of Our Big Gig in 2013.

This is an exciting opportunity for community and voluntary groups who want to organise a diverse music event which is free for members of the community and involves participatory activities. 

Community Event Organisers in England will receive: • a grant of up to £400 towards their event, • marketing materials (posters, banner and a t-shirt), • PR support, • training opportunities and • will have their event listed and promoted on the Our Big Gig website

Any organisation can apply to host an Our Big Gig event; it can be a friends of the park group, school, voluntary group, youth organisation, faith group, local authority, Parish Council etc.  Anyone who is part of a group or organisation with its own bank account can apply.  If you are an individual or a sole trader wishing to organise an event you will need to partner with an organisation or contact one of Superact’s Regional Manager’s via the website who will be able to offer you advice. The funding available cannot be used on staff time to organise an Our Big Gig event, it is purely for event expenses such as equipment, musician’s expenses, licensing, venue hire costs, insurance or reimbursement of volunteer expenses. 

We currently only have funding available to support events in England. As a result of this, if you are based in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland and would like to take part, you will need to secure funding yourself – there are no restrictions on where your funding comes from and we are encouraging event organisers to consider seeking sponsorship from local businesses. Whilst we cannot offer financial assistance, Superact is very happy to offer advice, share our digital resources and promote your event on our website (as long as it meets our criteria for an Our Big Gig event). 

If you would like to apply to be part of Our Big Gig in 2013 please register via the website www.ourbiggig.co.uk by the 12th May 2013. Once you have submitted an application you will be contacted by one of Superact’s Regional Managers who will discuss your application with you in more detail.  If you would like to speak to a member of Superact’s Our Big Gig team please call 01823 332 413 or email contact@superact.org.uk

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