MORE than £13,000 has been awarded to 10 local arts organisations from Kirklees Council.

The cash is allocated by Cultural and Leisure Services via its Arts in the Neighbourhood scheme.

Projects to benefit include Soundjata Promotions, Manasamitra and Cleckheaton Folk Festival.

Soundjata Promotions received £1,200 to help run an African Arts Project; a series of eight, two-hour workshops at the Muhammed Ali Centre in Crosland Moor, leading up to a performance in June.

The workshops will cover songwriting, musical techniques, musicianship, rhythms and dance.

Manasamitra have received £1,500 to help stage a music festival at Dewsbury Town Hall entitled Raaga Deep, involving four artists from the UK who will explore four different styles of Indian music.

Cleckheaton Folk Festival has received a grant of £1,800.

The festival, in the first weekend of July 2006, will include music, dance, song, crafts and street entertainment.

Organisers of the 19th festival aim to feature as many local groups as possible.

In addition to the 10 groups benefiting from the latest round of awards, more than 40 other local arts groups and organisations have received grants this year.

A further round of awards will be made in 2006. The closing date is February 20 2006. Call 01484 226353.