Grant News

John Lyon’s Charity has relaunched its Cultural Capital Fund to help arts organisations deliver high-quality cultural experiences in schools across nine boroughs in North and West London. Grants of £10,000 to £30,000 per year are available for up to two years.

The Charity supports children and young people up to age 25. The fund aims to strengthen partnerships between arts organisations and schools, particularly where pupils have limited access to arts education. Projects can include workshops, site visits, materials, teacher CPD and specialist arts practitioners.

Key highlights:

• Applicants must be registered arts charities.
• Organisations must work with at least two schools in the Charity’s Beneficial Area.
• Projects must take place in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Harrow and Barnet.
• Projects should involve large groups and be delivered face-to-face.
• Priority includes schools facing greater social and cultural deprivation.
• Funding can cover staffing and a proportion of management costs.

Key points: Music projects must link with the local Music Hub. Whole-class music tuition and online-only projects are not eligible. Schools must be confirmed before grants are released.

Examples of supported activities include:

• Arts workshops and cultural enrichment activities.
• Outreach work and visits to arts or cultural venues.
• Dance, music, drama, visual arts, creative writing, poetry, circus arts and digital arts activities.
• Materials needed to deliver arts projects.
• Continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers.
• Sessional staff and specialist arts practitioners.

Applications use a one-stage process. The deadline for applications is 1st November 2026.