Dart Music Festival Foundation

Dart Music Festival Foundation

A charitable trust, known as the Dart Music Festival Foundation, has been established by organisers of the Dart Music Festival to build and develop the musical talents of residents in Dartmouth and surrounding areas.  

The charter of the Foundation sets out ‘to provide cash grants, and possibly loans, to assist the musical development, education and careers of residents of Dartmouth and surrounding areas.’

In announcing the Foundation, Chairman Mrs. Pam Braakenburg said: “Initial seed funding for the Foundation has been made possible from the generosity of patrons at the 2010 Dart Music Festival and we are pleased to be in a position to offer a first round of small grants once the Foundation is officially launched on March 4.”

The foundation will have a small group of trustees including Pam Braakenburg as chairman and Laurie Preece and Tim Hailstone as fellow trustees.  

The Foundation will provide the cash grants, and loans, for a variety of purposes including the funding of lessons and contributing towards the purchase of musical instruments or costs associated with hiring studio time for rehearsals, recording and production etc.  

Pam said: “We are interested to receive applications from young musicians as soon as possible after the launch of the Foundation so that the trustees might consider them and promptly respond to requests. Funding guidelines are such that each application will be considered on its merits and the financial criteria that will apply.”

Pam who also chairs the Dart Music Festival Organising Committee commented: “The Dart Music Festival has been a hugely successful event for each of the past 13 years and, during this time, local residents of Dartmouth, and surrounding districts, have enjoyed superb music from an impressive list of musicians as well as diverse genres of music.

“Young local musicians in particular have been keen to participate in the Festival to help develop their skills and talents by performing before audiences and, where possible, playing with other musicians. The Dart Music Festival has helped foster such talent and means to continue to do so via the establishment of this Foundation.”

First Published March 2011 By The Dart