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.
Creative Health Lead Programme
Essex is one of only six areas in England to join the third cohort of the national Creative Health Leads Programme.The programme is run by the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH). Essex will receive two years of support to further embed creative health across the county.Creative health involves using artistic and creative activities to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Activities might include: Singing for lung health Dancing and movement for mobility and balance Art therapy as a way of expressing feelings Creative writing to help process emotions or trauma Photography to encourage mindfulness As part of the programme, a dedicated Creative Health Lead role will be established, employed by Essex County Council and working in partnership with NHS and wider system partners. The role will work across health, care, local government, voluntary and community sectors to strengthen the use of creativity in: Supporting prevention Improving wellbeing Reducing inequalities
Inspiring the Next Generation
Young storytellers across Essex are invited to take part in a magical Storytelling Competition inspired by Gruffalo Granny, the new book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Open to children aged 5 to 11, the competition encourages participants to share an original story of up to 500 words, either in writing or spoken aloud. Whether it’s an exciting adventure, a fantastical new world or a treasured memory, this is a chance for children to let their imaginations run free and bring their stories to life. As part of the opportunity, entrants can hear from our Essex Cultural Ambassadors, who will share practical tips and advice on crafting a compelling story, finding inspiration and engaging readers. With fantastic prizes on offer, including a day out to Chessington World of Adventures, afternoon tea, book tokens and the chance to have a story published, there has never been a better time to start
Summer of Culture 2026 Launch
Culture Essex and Explore Essex are delighted to launch the Summer of Culture Guide 2026! Produced by Explore Essex and Culture Essex, the guide features a rich mix of arts, culture and heritage events, exhibitions and public programme taking place across Essex this summer for everyone to enjoy! Explore events including classical concerts and Essex Book Festival, the latest art exhibitions and how you can celebrate the 250th anniversary of English artist John Constable. Step back in time with our what’s on at Essex Museums across the county, discover film locations, the story of the boat that rocked and lots more great ideas for an affordable day out in six pages of listings. Read ‘Summer of Culture 2026’ now to find out more and look out for physical copies soon, as we connect communities through creativity and take pride in our great county.
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