Grant News
The Government and Arts Council England have announced a new £85 million capital grants fund for not-for-profit creative and cultural organisations in England to improve cultural buildings and equipment.
The funding aims to support organisations in restoring, retrofitting, or renewing cultural assets, including urgent work to address issues which prevent them from effectively delivering work for the public.
There are two levels of funding:
- Strand 1 has a budget of £25 million with grants of between £100,000 and £1 million
- Strand 2 has a budget of £60 million with grants above £1 million up to and including £10 million (maximum)
Grants near the maximum value are likely to be made only by exception.
The fund is for capital expenditure to support the following broad categories of projects:
- Equipment projects - moveable furniture, equipment, and vehicles (Strand 1 only)
- Building projects - building work to existing cultural buildings or expanded cultural facilities within an existing site (Strand 1 & 2)
- Building and equipment projects in one application (Strand 1 & 2)
Eligible projects could include building repairs, replacing outdated systems, and improving energy efficiency and accessibility.
The Creative Foundations Fund will be open to venues including theatres, galleries, grassroots music venues, and contemporary arts centres, but excludes libraries or museums.
Projects must not start before 1 April 2026 and must end no later than 31 March 2029.
There is a two-stage application process for both strands. Expressions of interest will be accepted from the 30th June 2025 until the 25th July 2025. Those who are successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.
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