Funding and Support

Funding

One of the biggest challenges in delivering arts events and activities can be securing the funding to realise your vision, so Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has now launched a new 'Creative Communities Grant' scheme.

Creative Communities Grants

MBC has introduced the 'Creative Communities Grants' to support events and activities that encourage arts engagement and community cohesion in Maidstone. They are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Total fund available: £30,000 per annum

Grant range: £500 - £2,000

Who can apply: Individual artists and creatives, community groups and cultural organisations located in the borough of Maidstone.

There are four key priorities for the Creative Communities Grants:

• Increasing pride in our borough and its communities
• Increasing participation/engagement in arts and cultural activities; working with diverse audiences
• Supporting new and existing creative talent in the borough
• Promoting the benefits of arts and culture to our society, economy, health and wellbeing

Criteria: In order to be eligible for funding, there are a number of elements to your proposal we will take into consideration. These include, but are not limited to:

• Location – this funding is to support the recovery of Maidstone town centre so priority will be given to activities and events taking place here, although elements of a project may be delivered elsewhere
• Contribution to community pride/cohesion
• Number of participants/audience
• Diversity of participants/audience
• Health and wellbeing benefits for participants and/or audience

The current round of funding is now open for applications.

Apply for grant

Applications will close on 30th November 2023.

For the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, awards will be made every 4 months:

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Other sources of funding:

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND

• National Lottery Project Grants - open access programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. Grants range from £1,000 to £100,000. Individuals, organisations, museums and libraries are eligible to apply.
• Capital Investment Programme - open access programme to support cultural organisations to adjust buildings and equipment so that they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize on technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. Grants range from £100,000 (min) to £750,000 (max). Open to not-for-profit organisations including charities, CIC’s, CIO’s and statutory/public bodies.
• Developing Your Creative Practice - supports individuals who are cultural and creative practitioners and want to take time to focus on their creative development. Grants range from £2,000 to £10,000. Individual artists/creative practitioners are eligible to apply.

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NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND

Funding for a broad range of projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.

Grants are made in different bands:

£3,000 - £10,000

£10,000 - £250,000

£250,000 - £5million

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KENT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Part of a UK-wide accredited network of Community Foundations, with responsibility for more than 80 philanthropic funds.

Funds are divided into 5 themes and are open all year. Average grant size up to £4,000.

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There are a host of other regional and local organisations that also offer grants and funding.

Kent County Council collate the majority of these opportunities into a regular bulletin, called Inside Track, which includes links to the funders websites for further details. To subscribe to this bulletin, please email kccinsidetrack@kent.gov.uk

You can also search for more community grants and funding opportunities on the KCC website

Funding Support

For community groups needing advice and support with their funding application there are a number of organisations that can help:

Action with Communities in Rural Kent

Funding for All

Involve

Business Support

If you're looking for advice and support for your creative practice, our business team are here to help. Please visit their website for signposting and support with any aspect of your business. You can also arrange to speak with their in-house advisor, Chris Lyle. This is a free service and appointments can be in person or over the phone to suit you.

Hi3 Network

Hi3 Network is a network of industry specialists, researchers and businesses developing new products, services, experiences, and new research at three creative digital hubs - Canterbury, Folkestone and Maidstone.

Businesses working in creative technologies or interested in applying creative technologies to expand their business can benefit from access to research opportunities and experimental studio space.

Three purpose-built hubs provide studio space, editing and co-working facilities and are located at:

• Screen South at digital:glassworks Folkestone
• Maidstone Studios
• Canterbury Christ Church University

Hi3 Network is led by London South Bank University in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, Creative Folkestone, Maidstone Studios and Screen South. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (£6.1m) and the programme will run until June 2023.

Visit the website to find out more