As part of a wider package of support for the creative industries in the UK, the Arts Council has announced they are making £20 million available to individuals working in the cultural sector, including artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.
The Arts Council plan to offer individuals and organisations working in the cultural sector new financial support during the Coronavirus Pandemic crisis, totalling £160 million and have re-purposed all our investment strands to be able to offer this support. These emergency funding streams will be open to applications very soon.
Artists and creative practitioners will be able to apply for grants of up to £2,500 if they have a track record in publicly funded culture.
Here is the full statement, which you can also find on their web site.
We understand the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on all parts of the cultural workforce, so we’re looking to provide £4 million from this £20 million budget for grants to benevolent funds targeted at other cultural workers. More information on this will be shared soon.
Who is eligible to apply for this fund?
Creative practitioners whose main work is focused on these artforms and disciplines:
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Visual Arts
- Literature
- Combined Arts
- Museums practice
This work includes: choreographers, writers, translators, producers, editors, freelance educators in the disciplines and artforms we support, composers, directors, designers, artists, craft makers and curators.
Magicians and comedians can apply to this fund, as long as they have a track record of receiving public funding for their work.
We are also exploring reasonable adjustments that will ensure applicants with access requirements have an equal chance of benefiting from this fund. This would include anyone ill due to COVID-19.
Full application details will follow soon.
When do applications open?
We will publish guidance for applicants including the detailed timetable for this fund on 30 March 2020. Potential applicants will need to register on our application portal Grantium by Friday 3rd April 2020. There will be support for people to do this.
Where has this investment come from?
This is one of three emergency response funds we are launching. This funding has come from reallocation of National Lottery Project Grants, Developing Your Creative Practice, and our Development Funds for the 2020-21 period, and uses up almost all of our reserves.
Is there any other support we should be made aware of?
The Chancellor has announced support for organisations and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis. Go here for more guidance.
You can also find out more about the decisions we've made in developing this fund here
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