The purpose of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities as they emerge from the global Covid pandemic, recognising the specific issues they face as a result.

The overarching theme is combatting isolation and loneliness, and promoting social inclusion.

The Arts Council believes that arts, and coming together as communities, can all make a vital contribution to building health, confidence and healthy integrated communities.

The Arts Council has worked in tandem with local authority community development and arts officers to ensure as far as possible that access to the funding available is widely disseminated.

Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events. Projects do not have to be new: existing programmes which are successful and meet the strategic themes of REAP are eligible.

See link below for further details.