Arts Council Announces New R&D Support for Creatives (England)
The Arts Council England (ACE) has paused it Developing Your Creative Practice scheme until April 2026. To ensure continued support for individual artists and creative practitioners, ACE has ringfenced £7.5 million for research and development through its National Lottery Project Grants (NLPG) scheme. Grants of up to £30,000 are available to help individuals explore new ideas, experiment with creative approaches, test new ways of working, or carry out research into their practice. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will provide public benefit, either through future engagement, improved accessibility, or wider cultural impact. This funding is in addition to the existing NLPG support for individuals. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with decisions made within twelve weeks of submission.
Grants of up to £6,000 Available to Charities Advancing Arts, Health, and the Environment (UK)
Grants are available for UK registered charities seeking to enhance and improve people’s lives through advancing the arts, health and medical welfare, and the environment. The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust typically awards grants of between £500 and £6,000 for projects and core costs, with a preference for small-scale, locally based initiatives. Community services could include promoting access to the arts, conservation activities, music and art therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing, and providing breaks for carers. There are three grant-making meetings held annually. Projects should have a start date of at least three months afte
Funding to Support Arts, Library & Museum Projects (England)
Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme has reopened for applications to the ‘£30,000 and under’ strand, supporting arts, library, and museum projects.
The programme aims to support individual artists, community and cultural organisations to create and sustain high-quality work and help more people across England to engage with arts and culture.
Funding is available for projects lasting up to three years that are focused on one or more of the following disciplines:
- Combined arts (including festivals and carnivals)
- Dance
- Libraries (for activity that delivers against at least one of the four Universal Library Offers)
- Literature
- Music
- Museums and collections
- Theatre
- Visual arts
Applicants should note that whilst the guidance and application questions remain unchanged, applications will now be made via a new platform. Support documents are available to guide applicants through the process.
Applications can be made at any time, with decisions expected within ten weeks of submission.
Useful Links:
Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Not-For-Profit Theatres to Carry Out Essential Works (UK)
Grants of up to £7,500 are available through The Theatres Trust's Small Grants Programme for UK non-profit theatres. This initiative, backed by The Linbury Trust, aims to support projects aimed at ensuring the future viability and success of non-profit theatres in the UK, including essential small capital works, digital upgrades, and critical machinery installations. The deadline for applications in this round is 5pm on the 16th January 2026
Funding for Schools to Purchase Musical Equipment (UK & Ireland)
The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) has launched a new funding round to enable schools across the UK and Ireland to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to improve their pupils' access to music.
The UMUKSF School Awards will fund schools teaching the national curriculum to improve their music departments by purchasing or upgrading musical instruments and equipment.
The Foundation has helped over 10,000 students, schools, and teachers improve their access to music.
The deadline for applications is 1pm on the 25th June 2025.
For any questions, email the Foundation at umuksoundfoundation@umusic.com
Useful Links:
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Funding to Aid the Career Progression of School Music Teachers (UK)
The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) has launched a new funding round to enable teachers across the UK and Ireland to apply for grants of up to £1,000 towards the cost of a one-off music course or training.
The UMUKSF Teacher Awards will provide the funding towards a recognised course, training or a qualification to aid the career progression of school music teachers delivering the national curriculum.
To date, the Foundation has awarded grants to over 7,000 schools, individual students and teachers to improve their access to music.
Teachers interested in applying for support, should email umuksoundfoundation@umusic.com with a brief explanation of the course/training they would like to undertake and details of their current job. Those eligible to apply will be sent an application form.
The application deadline is 1pm on the 25th June 2025.