ARTISTS and arts groups in Kirklees have received cash in the latest grants from the Arts Council.

A total of £496,196 is being split between 49 projects in Yorkshire.

The Kirklees beneficiaries are Huddersfield artist Emma Barnes, Golcar poet and playwright Adam Strickson, the Twisted I Theatre Company of Holmfirth, Roberttown printmaker Corinne Rhodes and Batley group Share, which supports people with learning disabilities.

Emma, 23, received £3,516, to exhibit a new collection of work at On The Wall in London's Olympia Grand Hall.

Emma, who moved to Nottingham several weeks ago, is from Melbourne, Australia.

She came to England in 2001 to study graphic design at Nottingham Trent University.

She moved to Huddersfield two years ago with her fiancé, Steve Carter, 30, who was working at Varsity pub in the town centre.

She was helped a year ago by the Huddersfield Media Centre and began painting full-time. Emma paints abstract landscape scenes in acrylics.

She said: "It is so expensive to enter exhibitions. The grant will really help."

Poet and playwright Adam, of Wellhouse, a former director of multi-cultural theatre group Chol Theatre at Batley, received £4,977.

He will use the cash to launch his first poetry collection, An Indian Rug Surprised By Snow, in December.

The book explores the diversity of cultures in West Yorkshire, focusing on his encounters with the Asian community and refugees.

The grant will pay for marketing his book and readings and workshops in schools and community groups.

Adam, who has been a full-time playwright for two years, said: "I have lived in Huddersfield for 19 years and this book is really about the people I have worked with or been friends with."

Twisted I theatre group received £3,752 to send a member, Nichola Jennings, on a theatrical clowning course in Paris.

Her new skills will allow Twisted I to offer more diverse workshops to schools, colleges and universities.

Corinne has received £2,150 to pay for her to go to New Mexico, USA, to study on a printer training programme, concentrating on lithographical techniques. It will help her to open her own printshop.

The Share group received £3,510 to put on dance and writing workshops for people with learning disabilities.