Arts Festivals Support
Local authorities may support local arts festivals by giving financial support, developing and contributing to festival programmes, providing venues and promoting festivals to stimulate interest in the arts.
Who can apply?
To apply for funding you must be organising an arts festival that takes place within the local authority area. The main focus of the festival must be on one or more of these art forms: the visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus, architecture.
How much is available?
The amount of funding available can vary, so you will need to check with your local authority on what to expect before you apply. Some local authorities operate separate funding streams for festivals of different sizes. This means small and community festivals can be supported by the local authority, as well as medium and larger festivals.
How are applications assessed?
Arts festival support schemes are normally competitive, which means your application will be assessed based on criteria that the local authority announces in advance, and also against other festivals that may be applying for funding in the same year. The exact criteria can vary by local authority, but you can typically expect your application to be assessed based on its artistic merit, contribution to community and cultural life, and contribution to tourism and the local economy.
What can the funding be used for?
The funding can be used to support the development of arts festivals in the local authority area. Rules on what the funding can and cannot be used for may vary, so check with the local authority before applying.
How do I apply?
To apply check the details on the community or arts and culture section of your local authority's website. Normally local authorities make an annual callout for funding applications at a specific time of the year, explaining the criteria and giving the closing date. You will need to pay attention to the closing date and make sure you get your application in on time.