IMPORTANT NOTICE:

We believe in Arts for All and will use our grants to make a positive contribution to people’s lives through the arts. Never has there been a greater need to support our local arts organisations and museums and continue the vital contribution of skills development in the arts and heritage sectors.

With the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts & heritage sectors, the Spring 2021 round of grants will be extrememly competitive. The Grants Committee will be giving particular consideration to any projects severely impacted by or bring most benefit to those affected by the pandemic. Project applications should still meet the criteria outlined below and fall under one or more of the areas of giving in our funding strategy.

Grants are an important aspect of our work and have real impact locally as well as regionally and nationally. Over the last few decades, we have awarded millions of pounds to the arts and heritage – an unparalleled legacy that has transformed neighbourhoods, communities, visitor attractions and people’s lives across the length and breadth of the nation and abroad.

All grants from The Arts Society are intended to give access to the arts to those that wouldn’t normally have access to them. We believe in Arts for All and will use our grants to make a positive contribution to people’s lives through the arts.

FUNDING STRATEGY

We have identified three areas of giving that are in accordance with our charitable objectives and meet specific needs in the arts & heritage sectors.

YOUNG ARTS

Young Arts programmes support a wide range of activities to introduce young people to and engage them in artistic experience and practice. They include: artists in residence; art lectures for students; funding visits to art galleries and museums; art exhibitions for young artists; equipment purchases; practical workshops; local Arts Week events; bursaries for individual students; and sponsorship for craft apprentices.

(NB Societies can apply for any project that falls under the Art Projects banner.)

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

This area is about projects and programmes that further the development and training of skills in the arts, crafts and heritage. There are no age limits to this as we believe that people of all ages benefit from acquiring and honing their creative and heritage skills.

rEGIONAL MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & ARTS ORGANISATIONS

The work of regional and local museums and galleries is important in connecting people with their local heritage and arts; yet these institutions often struggle to raise funds for projects and internships during times of budget cuts. Our grants may support special projects, displays, internship or part-time posts, training and conservation activities. We will also consider applications involving regional and local theatres and performing arts spaces and groups.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Registered UK Charities with a turnover of £3M or less

• Member societies of The Arts Society

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The proposed project;

• Needs to fulfil the charitable objectives of The Arts Society and be given in The Arts Society name.
• Should make a difference to people’s lives.

• Has to be viable & sustainable.

• Must be well-managed.

• Must be related to the Arts, Crafts, Heritage or Conservation.

• Must have a robust budget.

• Must demonstrate sound financial management.

• Must include publicity for The Arts Society.

• Successful applicants should track progress and report back to The Arts Society.

Grants will not be given for;

• Capital expenditure on buildings, machinery or equipment.

• Operational costs (including staff costs).

• Projects that have already started/ completed.

• We cannot accept applications from individuals.

CLICK HERE FOR CHARITY APPLICATIONS

CLICK HERE FOR SOCIETY APPLICATIONS

application dates & deadlines

Header Image: Image reproduced with the kind permission of St Albans Museum & Gallery