ARTISTS and creative groups in Cradley Heath, Oldbury and Rowley Regis are being urged to apply for a cash injection from The Arts Council.

There is money up for grabs in Sandwell after The Arts Council England granted £2 million in lottery cash to Creative Black Country which aims to improve culture in the region.

A spokesman for CBC said: "The funds are to invest in the talent, appetite and potential of the people in the Black Country to engage in the arts.

"We will find creative people, make creative places and enrich the Black Country’s cultural and community landscape through creative thinking and action."

"This part of a national Creative People and Places scheme and the next three years will see us collaborating with many community groups, artists, businesses and people of all ages, cultures and interests, so that people of the Black Country can choose, make and take part in some of the best creative experiences possible."

He added: "If you are a individual, group or organisation that wants to attend an arts event, take part in an arts activity, or create a work of art in the Black Country, then we can support you to make things happen.

"Whether you’re a professional artist, performer or community group who have never experienced an arts activity before, this programme could be for you."

CBC's Open Access scheme will support ideas where the costs range from £100 to £4000 and is open to individuals, groups and organisations in Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The CBC spokesman added: "Open Access is able to support the seed of a great idea through to the growth of a great project.

"If it builds audiences, connects local people with professional artists and brings great performance, art and creativity to the Black

The first round of grant applicants included Sandwell's The People’s Orchestra and Sandwell Spring Board: Developing a Next Generation of Artists.

The next round of applications is now open and the deadline is Monday, May 11 and to apply email info@creativeblackcountry.co.uk.