Arts Council grants for the arts

Aims of Fund

To help more people to take part in the arts, provide creative opportunities and improve the performance and productivity of arts organisations and the arts sector.

Who can apply

• Artists, performers, promoters, presenters, curators, producers and other individuals working in the arts;
• arts organisations;
• local authorities and other public organisations;
• partnerships, collectives, and regional and national organisations;
• organisations whose normal activity is not arts-related, including voluntary and community groups; and
• groups of organisations or individuals.

How much and what can you apply for

Examples of past grants and for what use if available

Grants normally range from £1000 up to a total of £100,000 (for local activities), and can cover activities lasting up to three years. Most grants will be under £30,000.

You can apply for a very wide range of activities that will engage people in England in the arts or that help artists and arts organisations in England to carry out their work. They aim to be flexible and to encourage new ideas.

Your application will be judges on the following criteria:

• The quality of the activity, or its ongoing effect on artistic practice (or both) and the quality of experience for audiences and those taking part.

• How the activity increases opportunities for the public to engage in arts activities.

• How the activity will be managed and its ongoing effect.

• How realistic the activity is financially, and its future effect.

You will have to find at least 10% of the money you need for your activity from other sources. This can include:

• earned income from your activity;
• funding from public bodies such as local authorities;
• grants from trusts and foundations; and
• a contribution from you or your organisation.

Examples of grants awarded in Brighton and Hove in 2009/10 are:

• £58,000 to Jasmin Verdimon Dance Company for creation and touring of new work
• £56,000 to Nightingale Theatre for rebuilding
• £81,000 to Photoworks for Art Fund International
• £22,000 to Gravity and Levity for the production of Re-Flex
• £34,000 to the Permanent Gallery for an Experimental Platform and Satellite Partnership
• £24,000 to African Night Fever for musical performace
• £30,000 for the Soundwaves Festival
• £69,000 to Ragroof Theatre for a performance project
• £10,000 to SameSky to implement a digital strategy
• £26,000 to Refugee Radio for a music project
• £200,000 to Brighton Photo Biennial
• £5,000 to City Reads literature project
• £140,000 to DreamThinkSpeak for a theatre project
• £65,000 to Brighton Fringe Festival for organisation
• £5000 to The Circus Project for Playback Youth Circus
• £13,000 to Khala Phool for the 21st Century Mother India Remix tour
• £5,000 to the Brighton Early Music Festival

How to apply

Apply using the On-line application.

Deadlines for application

There are no deadlines. You should get a decision in six weeks for applications under £10,000 and 12 weeks for applications over £10,000.

Contact details

Arts Council England

Grants for the Arts

PO Box 4353

Manchester M61 0DQ

Tel: 0845 300 6200
Textphone: 020 7973 6564
Email: enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Website:http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/grants-arts/

Date & initials

26/9/11 JG