A project which aims to boost photography in the West Midlands has been awarded a grant from development agency Arts Council England.
The body is investing £83,000 in initiatives devised by Grain Projects which has been commissioning contemporary artists to produce and exhibit photography inspired by the West Midlands since 2012.
The money comes from the Arts Council's National Lottery-funded programme which provides grants for the arts.
Over the next two years, the community interest company will focus on introducing new audiences to photography and inspiring the creation of new work, with supporting local artists at its core.
Its programme will offer professional development and mentoring, new commissions and residencies and opportunities for artists to work nationally and internationally.
A programme for young people will run alongside its artistic exhibitions to encourage interest in photography.
Peter Knott, Midlands director for Arts Council England, said: "Since 2012, Grain has been doing exciting things to put photography centre stage in the West Midlands' art scene.
"We're really pleased to be supporting its work going forward and, over the next two years, I hope more artists and audiences across the region will take advantage of what Grain has to offer."
Grain Projects' co-director Nicola Shipley said: "The support will enable us to provide a unique and vital collaborative organisation that responds to the needs of practitioners and communities and will see us developing ambitious projects throughout the region."
