TWO prominent Cambridgeshire arts groups are joining forces.

Fenland based arts group Atelier East is merging with ADeC, an arts charity which has put on creative projects in Cambridgeshire for almost 20 years.

Discussions had taken place for several months before the partnership was finalised.

Karen Harvey, Atelier East’s founder, said: “I have very much enjoyed the seven years I have spent developing Atelier East and I am incredibly proud of everything we have managed to achieve in this time.

“I am even more excited to see how things are going to be able to continue to develop creatively for the people of Fenland with ADeC’s greater involvement.

“I’m really looking forward to being involved solely as a director and being able to help put more ideas into action.”

Arts Development in East Cambridgeshire (ADeC) is responsible for the development of the arts in East Cambridgeshire, offering a wide ranging arts programme in partnership with professional and amateur arts organisations.

Atelier East has founded the Fenland Poet Laureate Awards, Fenland Photographer of the Year and the Young Curators Forum.

The Fenland Poet Laureate project has received international recognition and won the prestigious Clore Poetry and Literature Award

This year’s Fenland Poet Laureate Awards evening takes place on Friday.

The grand opening of the Young Curators Forum’s exhibition, Wisbech: A Century Of Memories, is scheduled for Friday March 8,