Cultural Development Fund
Essex is home to a thriving and diverse cultural sector, ranging from artist studios and makerspaces to co-working spaces, incubators, and community venues. These hubs reflect the rich tapestry of creative activity flourishing across Essex.
Our cultural infrastructure also includes a wide mix of museums, theatres, and grassroots arts organisations, many of which operate in rural, coastal, and underserved urban areas—bringing creativity to the heart of communities.
Apply for Funding
Eligible organisations can apply for grants between £2,500 and £30,000 to support projects that align with Essex County Council’s priorities.
Apply to the fund via the online application portal.
- Before starting your application, please refer to the application guidance notes.
- Deadline for applications: 11.59pm on Friday 31 October 2025.
- Applicants will be notified of an outcome by the end of November 2025. Successful projects must be delivered by 31 March 2026.
Year 2 of the Creative Industries Project Development Fund is scheduled to launch in April 2026.
For questions, contact us at culture@essex.gov.uk. Please reach out well before the deadline to ensure we can assist you in time.
Flex Youth and Community Group. Photo: Realm Video.
Funding Priorities
Priority will be given to those organisations seeking funding for projects which will enhance and grow their business, including:
Growth: Developing innovation and ideas, and supporting the creative sector in Essex.
Talent Development: Creating career pathways for young people, including apprenticeships and school engagement.
Engagement: Increasing engagement with arts, culture and the creative industries.
Who can apply?
To eligible to apply to the Cultural Development Fund, your organisation must be:
- A cultural organisations as defined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
- Based within the administrative boundaries of Essex County Council.
- Employ at least two full-time staff.
Eligible sectors include:
- Museums
- Galleries
- Theatre
- Dance
- Music
- Performing & Visual Arts
- Combined Arts
Colchester Arts Centre. Photo: Realm Video.
What’s Not Funded
- 100% of project costs
- Fundraising events for private gain
- Student projects tied to coursework
- International touring
- Capital costs
- Curriculum-based school projects
What You’ll Need
In addition to your main application and project budget (evidencing 10% match funding, either cash or in-kind), applicants must provide the following documentation:
- Constitution and/or Articles of Association
- A business plan including education/outreach and marketing policies
- Management and Staffing structures
- Equal Opportunities policy
- Equality and Diversity policy
- Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults policy and procedures where appropriate e.g. Disclosure and Barring Checks
- Health and Safety policy
- Copy of current £5 million Public Liability insurance certificate. We will not award funding to organisations which do not have satisfactory insurance in place
- An organisational budget/cash flow for the current year
- Details of activities for which funding is sought in the context of the organisation’s wider activity for the year
- The previous years’ Annual Report and management/audited accounts
Creative Spotlights
Click on the images below to read Case Studies of some of the projects the Arts and Cultural Fund has supported.
Arts and Cultural Fund Projects
The following list details recipients of the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund, supporting organisations and creative practitioners to deliver an exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring communities in Essex together. Find out more about the fund here. Since launching in December 2021, the Fund has supported 86 projects across Essex and enabled approximately 300,000 Essex residents and visitors to get involved or benefit from creative and cultural activity across the county. Year 4 Recipients (2025) Eloise Pilbeam Multi-disciplinary artist Eloise Pilbeam will co-create a series of interactive public sculptures in Harlow that will act as communal spaces, inviting people to pause, reflect, connect, and engage in playful exploration. Situated in a public green space, the works will use be composed of reclaimed materials and will be created using traditional weaving techniques in reference to the county’s historic connection with the textile industry. The project
Summer of Culture Magazine Launch
Culture Essex and Explore Essex are delighted to launch the Summer of Culture Guide 2025! We are delighted to share the Essex Summer of Culture Guide 2025. Partnering with Essex arts and cultural organisations, in this years edition we showcase some amazing, low-cost and free activities, exhibitions and experiences taking place in the county this summer for everyone to enjoy. We’re pleased to confirm that the Summer of Culture guide will once again be available in print from Essex Libraries, Essex Country Parks and many attractions and organisations across the county, so look out for a print copy to share with friends. Click here to read an online copy of the Summer of Culture Guide.
Essex Creative Sector Survey
Essex County Council, through its Cultural Development Service, have launched a key piece of work to look at the needs of Essex’s creative industries as the landscape of local government, government spending reviews and devolution continues to rapidly change, and particularly in light of the government’s ‘Invest 2035: UK Modern Industrial Strategy‘ which identifies the creative industries as a key driver of economic growth and innovation in the UK. As conversations continue at a local and national level, Culture Essex is working to ensure that the cultural and the creative industries are recognized and represented as valuable and high potential growth sectors in Essex. To make sure this support reflects the real needs of creative professionals and businesses, Essex County Council has commissioned We Made That to run a survey for those working in the creative industries. Your insights into what it’s like to work in the sector – including
Arts, Culture and Heritage Opportunities in Essex
Job Opportunities Project Officer, Arts OutburstPT, £24,000 pro rata. Deadline 26 August 2025. Duty Manager, FirstsitePT, £13,237.99. Deadline 26 August 2025. Technician (Lighting), Mercury TheatreFT, £27,000 to £28,500. Deadline 29 August 2025. Exhibition Internship, SignalsFixed term role at £12.60/hour. Deadline 1 September 2025. Operations Assistant, Mercury TheatreFT, £24,102. Deadline 8 September 2025. Commission Opportunities Call Out: Theatre Practitioners Chelmsford Theatre is looking for local and regional freelance creatives to work with to increase the number of events and activities that are produced in-house and to support the delivery of a CertHE in Musical Theatre. Call Out: Vinter House Public Art Commission Harlow Art Trust are inviting visual artists with a public realm or sculptural practice to apply for a new site-specific commission inspired by the rich history, present character, and the landscape of the Templefields area in Harlow. The commission is open to artists interested in creating contemporary, high-quality, and community-minded artwork that will become part of Harlow Sculpture Town. The total commission