The Ministry of Culture has established a $100,000 grant to promote the Island's history and culture through the arts.

Minister Neletha Butterfield said the Cultural Legacy Fund was established to celebrate Bermuda's 400th birthday and showed a "tangible commitment to the development and promotion of culture in Bermuda."

The Ministry is accepting applications from both individuals and organisations.

"The Fund's criteria stipulate that grant seekers must foster excellence in culture heritage and the arts," the Minister said. "Therefore, this initiative will facilitate development and growth in culture, heritage and the arts.

"The goal of the fund is to encourage innovation across the full spectrum of culture and the arts and to provide opportunities for Bermudian artists.

"The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs believes this event will raise the quality of Bermuda's cultural, heritage and arts scene and raise its stature in the community.

"While Bermuda already has a thriving arts community the Cultural Legacy Fund hopes to further encourage more creativity and innovation in this area and raise the bar of Bermuda's culture and heritage through training and development opportunities."

In a mail-out going to all residents on the Island the Ministry explained it is looking to give grants for a variety of reasons including implementing "spectacular, showpiece events by Bermudian artists", strengthening intra-community connections or providing opportunity for training for researchers, archivists and teachers.

The fund, which was established this year, will be awarded annually. The allocation of grants will be based on the quality and quantity of the grant applications received.

The deadline for applications to the fund is November 9. Anyone interested in applying should contact the Ministry.