The Stuart House Trust which runs the Arts and Heritage Centre in Liskeard has just been granted an award of £36,000 by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. The money, which comes in three payments over three years, will enable the trust to keep Stuart House open for five and a half days in future through the services of a professional manager. In addition, the trust also hopes to employ an arts adviser for a few hours each week. Someone who is already well known in the artistic world is now being sought The appointment will enable Stuart House to engage the best artists, craftspeople and organisations in South East Cornwall to enhance its reputation in the South West. The trust is now looking to upgrade the way in which the house is presented, and put together a full programme of events for 2005 to celebrate the 21st years of its operations. From March the trust hopes to be able to have a permanent showroom for local craftspeople where they can display and sell their works. The grant should allow the trust to develop and expand, eventually becoming self financing and paying its staff from resources. The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant making organisation in Britain making grants in the areas of art and heritage, education, the environment, and social development.