Arts Council of England

The Arts Council exists to promote awareness and understanding of the arts in England and increase accessibility to the arts. It is responsible for distributing Lottery money to the arts, and last year awarded over £200 million in lottery funding to arts projects. It also distributes government funds to the arts.

Aims of Grants for the Arts

To change people's lives through the opportunity to take part in or experience high quality arts activities
To increase opportunities for cultural diversity in the arts. By 'cultural diversity', we mean the full range and variety of the culture of this country, but with a particular focus on race and ethnic background.
To support excellence, new ideas and activity to help build long-term stability in arts organisations.
To invest in the creative talent of artists and individuals.

To increase resources for the arts.

Grants for the arts are for individuals, arts organisations, national touring and other people who use the arts in their work. They are for activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations from England to carry out their work.

Grants for individuals

Individuals can apply for grants for arts-related activities which might include:

• projects and events;

• commissions and productions;

• research and development;

• capital items (such as equipment);

• professional development and training, including travel grants;

• bursaries;

• fellowships;

• residencies; and

• touring.

Your application can cover more than one type of activity.

Grants normally range from £200 up to a total of £30,000, and can cover activities lasting up to three years. We can award larger grants for major projects and residencies. Most grants will be under £30,000.

Grants for organisations

Arts organisations and other people who use the arts as part of their work can apply for grants for arts-related activities. This might include:

• projects and events;

• activities for people to take part in;

• education activities;

• research and development;

• commissions and productions;

• marketing activities;

• 'audience development' (activity carried out specifically to meet the needs of audiences and to help arts organisations develop ongoing relationships with audiences);

• capital items (such as equipment and improvements to facilities and buildings);

• professional development and training;

• organisational development to improve the long-term stability of arts organisations; and

• touring.

Your application can cover more than one type of activity.

Grants normally range from £200 up to a total of £100,000, and can cover activities lasting up to three years. Most grants will be under £30,000.

Grants for national touring

National touring means touring in two or more Arts Council England regions. We can support work of all kinds and scales to tour in England. We can consider tours that also include Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Grants can help cover costs associated with time-limited, not-for-profit tours.

We encourage artists, producers, venues and promoters to work together so that audiences can enjoy the best possible work.

You must be based in the UK if you are applying for a grant for national touring.

Grants for national touring are available for individuals and organisations, and normally range from £5,000 up to a total of £200,000. You can apply for a grant to cover activities lasting up to three years. Most grants will be under £100,000.

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. (One of the organisations or individuals involved will need to take the lead and have the main responsibility for managing the application and any grant.)
Awards:	£500+ depending on programme.
Partnership Funding:	10% is expected towards the project cost either in cash or in kind.
Deadlines:	You can apply at any time between 1 April 2003 and 31 December 2004.
Decisions:	6 weeks (for applications for £5,000); or 12 weeks (for applications for over £5,000).

For more information:

21 Bond Street, Dewsbury

West Yorkshire, WF13 1AX

Tel: 01924 455555

Email: info@artcouncil.org.uk

Website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/