The Arts & Cultural Fund.
The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund supports organisations and creative practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with communities in Essex and to support the development of creative and cultural talent in our region.
Since launching the fund in 2022, the Arts and Cultural Fund awards have supported 86 projects across the county which have helped residents in Essex to access arts and culture and to participate in creative activities. You can find out more about projects we’ve supported in this series of commissioned videos.
In addition to delivering social and wellbeing benefits, the creative and cultural sector is widely recognised as being at the forefront of economic and social regeneration. Find out more about our supported projects here.
Apply for Funding
The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund provides grants from between £2,500 to £30,000 to support projects in our communities.
Applications to the Arts and Cultural Fund are now closed.
Applicants will be notified of an outcome in January 2026. Successful projects must be delivered over the following year from April 2026, completed and evaluated in full by April 2027.
Wildcrafting with Wyrd Flora. Photo: Realm Video.
How to apply
- Submissions to the Arts and Cultural Fund can only be made via an online portal, however, you can find a copy of the application form here. This includes details of questions and character limits.
- Before starting your application, you may find it useful to refer to our guidance notes.
- For an opportunity to learn more about the fund, you can also watch a recording of one of our previous Q&A session here.
Who can apply?
This grant offers awards to cultural organisations or arts and cultural practitioners of all types based in, or working in, the administrative boundaries of ECC to undertake outcome-focused commissions meeting ECC priorities.
If you have any additional questions, we are here to help! Please contact us via culture@essex.gov.uk. Please reach out well before the deadline to ensure we can assist you in time.
Legendary Essex Community Workshop. Photo: Realm Video.
Read the Arts and Cultural Fund FAQs here.
If you have any further questions, or require support or clarity on how to make an application to the fund, please contact us directly at culture@essex.gov.uk.
Register your Interest
Register for our newsletter where you will receive key updates relating to our funding support for arts and culture.
Creative Spotlights
Click on the images below to read Case Studies of some of the projects the Arts and Cultural Fund has supported.
Cultural Projects on Film
Since 2021, the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund has supported over 100 projects to deliver a broad and exciting range of work engaging with communities across Essex. Learn more about the impact of our supported projects in the following videos: https://vimeo.com/1117708486https://vimeo.com/1020526521?fl=tl&fe=ec
Arts, Culture and Heritage Opportunities in Essex
Job Opportunities Youth Events Producer, Culture Chelmsford Freelance fee: £8,000. Deadline 31 May 2026. Project Manager, Green Connections/Wise Ram Theatre Freelance role at £220 per day. Deadline 31 May 2026. Collaborative Pianist, Brentwood School PT, £24,000. Deadline 1 June 2026. Finance Officer, Mercury Theatre PT, £26,474 (pro rata) per annum. Deadline 8 June 2026. The Hervey Benham Wardrobe Assistant Placement, Mercury Theatre FT training placement paid at national minimum wage. Deadline 15 June 2026. The Greyfriars Technical Stage Management Placement, Mercury Theatre FT training placement paid at national minimum wage. Deadline 15 June 2026. Events and Engagement Officer, Chelmsford Garden Community Council FT, £33,699. Deadline 15 June 2026. Commission Opportunities Open Call: Creative Research and Development in East Tilbury, Start Thurrock Commission fee: £6,000. Deadline 15 June 2026. Open Call: Basildon Community Micro-Commissions, Towngate Theatre Towngate Theatre is offering 5 micro-commissions of £700 to support the research, development, or prototyping of new creative work that connects with Basildon communities. Deadline 26 June 2026. Open Call: The Artist Prize, Firstsite and
Case Study:Veterans Choir
Background Age Well East is a Colchester-based charity that has supported people in later life across Essex since 1950, after funding was secured to improve the welfare of older people following World War II. Colchester’s strong military heritage, including its army barracks, has shaped Age Well East’s long-standing work with Armed Forces veterans. Through targeted, grant-funded projects, the charity provides veteran-led social activities and one-to-one befriending, alongside specialist support for people living with dementia and their family carers. It also works to reduce isolation and related hardship by offering free access to advice, welfare support, and information. Armed Forces veterans hold an important place within families, local communities, and wider civic life, reflected nationally through annual Remembrance services. Building on growing community awareness and the opportunity to create new social connections, the Veterans Choir was identified as a meaningful way to bring veterans together and increase their visibility and participation
Case Study: Essex International Film Festival
Background The Essex Film Collective is a network of filmmakers, actors, and crew members working across all areas of the film and TV industry in Essex. Founded in 2021, the organisation was established to create meaningful opportunities for career development through collaboration, training and industry networking throughout the area. Its mission is to elevate Essex’s profile as a thriving hub for film and TV. The Collective also champions local filmmakers by offering regular screenings, events and promotional support to showcase talent, build confidence and inspire the next generation of storytellers in the county. The Story behind the Essex International Film Festival In March 2025, the Essex Film Collective launched its inaugural Essex International Film Festival, partnering with independent venues and cinemas across the county to celebrate the very best of independent film making. With the support of the Essex Film Office, the festival showcased a rich and diverse programme of