More than £50,000 of council taxpayers' money could be spent on a special arts development scheme in west Oxfordshire.
Nearly all of it would be ploughed into the theatre and stage, providing financial backing for performances and workshops.
The district council's cabinet is backing the investment during the coming year. Similar spending could follow in 2003 and 2004 under a three year Arts Partnership Agreement.
The lion's share, £26,790, has been earmarked for The Theatre at Chipping Norton. Other grants would go to: Oxfordshire Touring Theatre, £10,455, Ithaca, £4,822, Trading Faces, £4,287, West Ox Arts, £3,750, and WILD Theatre, £1,600.
Roger Sheridan, the council's head of leisure and tourism, says the agreements will help local people to become involved with the theatre.
Special provision is being made for the disabled - the Witney-based WILD (We Injoy Loadsa Drama) is one of the few groups in the country staging plays with a mixed cast of able and disabled actors. The spending has to be ratified by the full council in the budget process for the coming year.
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