As an independent magazine run by freelancers, all we seem to do is try to find ways to keep ourselves funded and afloat.
The search for arts funding opportunities is sometimes a tricky and long one, partly because it’s hard to find a list of them all in one reconciled place.
So, to help you, we have put together a (evolving) list of funders and sponsors to support you on your project.
Arts Council England: Project Grants and DYCP
Supporting thousands of independent makers and organisations, these project grants are available for wide variety of cultural and arts projects either under £30k or above £30k (there are different applications for each).
Arts Council England Project Grants are always open (there aren’t rounds) yet they can be quite complicated to write. It is worth getting some form of assistance if you can to either put the application together or be an extra pair of eyes.
If you have access needs, there are a few dance artists and professionals who can help you.
If you aren’t doing a project of such size to require project grant funding, Developing Your Creative Practice might be an alternative. Ideal for people looking to develop their artistry, skill or project, you can apply for up to £12k. There are rounds of funding and like the project grants, it can be pretty competitive.
There is also Arts Council Wales and Arts Council Northern Ireland.
Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy
This organisation has funding programmes on offer and runs fundraising courses.
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the main funding body for arts and culture in Scotland. Last month, Creative Scotland paused its Open Fund which is the main funding pot for independent artists working in Scotland (yikes, very tragic).
If you’re an organisation though, or working with specialised communities, there is other funding available from Creative Scotland. Just not for independent makers…
Funding for individuals
Black Artists Grant from Creative Debuts
The White Pube Creatives Grant for working-class artists
Access to Work funding for those with access needs
EU funding
If Brexit never happened, apparently the UK’s creative industries would have gained an extra €184m of funding.
Sadly, Brexit wasn’t just a nightmare and it did happen, causing absolute misery for the creative sectors.
If you are an artist working in the EU and can get funding from the EU Commission, this webpage is simply fab.
Trusts & foundations
Trusts and foundations provide funding support or grants for charitable purposes. Some examples are:
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: A lovely foundation that offers a range of different funding for individuals and organisations.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation: Another foundation that supports organisations.
The Leche Trust: This trust supports two main areas; performing arts and heritage conservation. They also have rounds of funding so it’s always worth taking a look beforehand and planning ahead as you may have missed the cut off date!
Jerwood Foundation (has lots of funding programmes and options!)
The caveat with this type of funding is that, as these trusts and foundations have charitable outcomes to meet, it can mean that only certain projects get funding.
Hey folks! This list is always growing so if you have more to add, get in touch with us!