Artists who contribute to the cultural fabric of Bermuda have been honoured with cheques to further their work.Seventeen people received awards from the Cultural Legacy Fund, which this year totaled $75,000.“Who we are must be grounded in our traditions, beliefs and other aspects of tangible cultural heritage,” Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors told a ceremony at the Bermuda National Gallery. “As such, these must be supported, nurtured and protected.”The fund, she said, is Government’s contribution to the development and support of culture and the arts in Bermuda a “tangible means of support” to assist projects and initiatives that are of national significance.Said Cleveland Simmons, of the Young Progressives: “I’ve collected this award on behalf of the Black Alliance, which is a charitable organisation that assists with the arts. This is going toward Bermuda Teens Have Talent, which involves young people in all kinds of arts, from performance to riding bicycles. The idea is to address some of our social problems by giving teens activities. The last few Ministers have assisted us but we haven’t applied for a grant before. This is a shot in the arm for what we believe in, and we’re grateful for it.”Duncan Hall accepted a cheque on behalf of Bermuda Docs, the Bermuda Documentary Film Festival’s charitable trust.“This grant will benefit Bermuda Docs in schools,” Mr Hall said, explaining that the group acts as a documentary lending library for CedarBridge, the Berkeley Institute, Bermuda High School, Mount St Agnes Academy and Warwick Academy. “This funding allows us to buy classroom licences for films.”Author and publisher Cha’Von Clarke, of CKC Corporation, told The Royal Gazette her funding would assist in publishing Bermuda’s first anthology of children’s creative writing. Her company is also producing an anthology of prison writings.And, as communications director for recipients Gombey Warriors, Ms Clarke said the group plans to use its own award in its initiative to educate the community about Gombeys, starting with a recruitment meeting tonight at 6pm at the Bermuda College.Lisa Howie, who accepted an award for the Bermuda National Gallery, said the funds would contribute to its student docent programme, which teaches students how to analyse and interpret art until they can lead tour groups.Shoa Bean, who took a $5,000 award for the arts group TROIKA, said her group would also use its finances for youth initiatives.Other recipients were: the Bermuda African Dance Company; Ami Zanders; the Bermuda School of Music; the Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival; the Chewstick Foundation; the Bermuda International Film Festival; Andrew Stoneham; Look Bermuda; Rosheena Beek, and Educational and Inspirational Publishers.Useful website: www.communityandculture.bm.