ALW Foundation to invest in the Arts

20 May 2011

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation invests £32 million for the ongoing support of Culture, Heritage and the Arts

Following the sale of Picasso’s portrait of Angel Fernandez de Soto (also known as The Absinthe Drinker) last year, the Trustees of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation are now able to embark on an active grant-giving programme to support culture, heritage and arts projects that provide a real and ongoing difference to people’s lives.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation today announces a £250,000 donation to UK charity Nordoff Robbins, which specialises in providing music therapy sessions in its own centres and units as well as in hospitals, day centres and schools nationwide. Nordoff Robbins plans to use the money to help maintain its music therapy unit at the famous BRIT school in Croydon and to fund their work at the unit. The charity delivers music therapy and other music services to help those with a range of challenges including autism, dementia, depression, stroke and terminal illness.

Mark Wordsworth, Chairman of the Trustees of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, says: “Previously we have concentrated on fine art and arts education, but we have decided to help a broader scope of people and projects directly with the funds invested from the Picasso sale.”

Other beneficiaries of the Foundation’s support announced today include:

  • Chickenshed, an all inclusive youth theatre company, towards their BTEC programme.
  • All Saints Church, Margaret St, London, towards their ongoing interior refurbishment project
  • Burghclere Primary School Band, for the provision of a percussion teacher and percussion equipment.
  • Time Spanners, a 21-piece community music group with physical or learning disabilities towards professional support musicians.
  • The Monega Association, a Community Group that brings music to local pensioners and the community as a whole by putting on musical events
  • Haringey Shed, an all inclusive performing arts group, for the refurbishment of new premises.
  • The Orpheus Centre, a performing arts college for disabled young adults, to fund arts bursaries over a three-year period

Further major grants are to be announced within the coming months.

More information about The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and details of how to apply for a grant can be found at www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com.