The Arts & Cultural Fund FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions before applying.
Grant applications open at 10.00am on Monday 21 October 2024 and completed forms must be received by the final deadline of 11.59pm on Monday 2 December 2024. Applicants will be advised of outcomes by the end of January 2025 with a view to supported projects being delivered from April 2025 onwards.
An online application form will be made available on the dedicated Arts and Cultural Fund page which should be completed and submitted no later than 11.59pm on Monday 2 December 2024. Receipt of your application will be confirmed by the Culture Team (check the auto response from the online form)
If you want to talk to one of the team about your project or if you have a specific question which is not addressed in these FAQs, the Culture Team can be contacted to arrange a one-to-one session on Microsoft Teams at culture@essex.gov.uk. Please ensure you submit your query well in advance of the application deadline.
The Fund is open to individual artists and arts organisations, community groups, charities, social enterprises, trusts, and public and private sector organisations looking to deliver arts and cultural projects within the jurisdiction of Essex County Council – please note, this does not include Southend and Thurrock which are unitary authorities. Local authorities cannot apply on their own; however, they are welcome to partner on applications. Organisations which are part of a local authority’s direct provision (eg, museums, galleries, theatres) will be considered on a case-by-case basis should the application be for a project outside of their usual core activity.
Grants will not be made for the purposes of the promotion of faith or political ideals nor will they be made for the reinstatement of reserve funds. You cannot apply to the Fund retrospectively, ie, for a project that has already taken place.
Firstly, your organisation must be able to prove financial viability (we will ask to see audited accounts) and have a good track record of project delivery or, if this is a first project application, a demonstrated ability to manage work effectively. You must have effective policies in place which, depending on your project, can include equal
opportunities, health and safety, equality and diversity, public liability, children and vulnerable adults protection.
No, the Fund will only accept one application from any given organisation. Should your organisation submit more than one application, one will be discounted and removed from the review process.
The Arts and Cultural Fund will broadly reflect the disciplines supported via Arts Council England’s project grants, including Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts, Literature, Combined Arts (including festivals and carnivals) and Museum projects.
Grant sizes range from £2,500 to £30,000. 90% of the grant is paid at the beginning of the financial year (1 April) and the project should be completed within that financial year. On completion, the final 10% of the grant is paid. If applying for the upper amount you will need to demonstrate clearly why the project requires a larger budgetary ask.
Your application must include a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed project, showing any matched funding and in-kind support, such as complimentary venue hire, volunteer support etc. Please note, the Fund can only support 90% of the project and each application will need to demonstrate a cash or in-kind contribution of at least 10% of the grant amount.
The Council’s strategy, Everyone’s Essex (2021-5) sets out a series of commitments to our residents. Arts & Cultural Fund applications must demonstrate how any proposed work helps to meet these aims so please take the time to read the strategy and carefully consider if your project is suitable. It is not expected that you will be able to contribute to all points in the strategy however, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate activities for at least one.
Applications will be assessed on how they meet the following criteria:
· How the project meets our Everyone’s Essex commitments.
· Community engagement
· Geographic reach, eg, does the work focus on one or more area or local authority? Are there any county wide benefits? Are there benefits to areas where cultural engagement is low?
· Clear plans in place for project evaluation
· The extent to which the work will lead to:
a) A more robust and confident cultural sector in Essex, with support ranging from individual artists to established cultural organisations.
b) A demonstration of support in kind and/or matched funding from other partners and funding bodies.
c) An increase in audiences and participation with Essex’s cultural organisations and projects.
d) An increase in residents’ access to the physical and mental health wellbeing benefits of creativity and cultural activity.
An assessment board will make recommendations about the award of funding to the ECC Cabinet Member. The board will consist of ECC Portfolio holders and Officers within the Culture, Heritage & Green Spaces Service.
It may help you with your application if you look at previously supported projects. These feature on our website, either in the form of Case Studies or are featured in the Arts & Cultural Fund video.
If you require advice specific to your project which is not addressed in either the Guidance Notes or FAQs, the Culture Team can be contacted at culture@essex.gov.uk
Please ensure you submit your enquiry well in advance of the application deadline.
Outputs are the tangible products and activity delivered by your project which are quantifiable. For example, an art therapy project might work with 20 residents in a residential care home over 12 weeks, delivering 12 half-day sessions. These are outputs.
Outcomes are the changes, benefits, learning and other effects that happen because of your project. They can be wanted or unwanted, expected or unexpected. For example, the abovementioned art therapy project could lead to an improvement in artistic technique, increased confidence and well-being and reduction in social isolation. These are outcomes.
If successful, we would send you a link to the ECC online evaluation form at the start of your project so, as your project progresses, you can record the information you need in order to evaluate your project. For example, the evaluation form includes questions about your project’s geographical reach, audience demographic, number of residents/schools/libraries engaged, number of artists employed and details of any matched funding you secured. You will need to demonstrate, in real terms, the impact of your project by gathering data, testimonials and photo/video evidence, where appropriate.
ECC’s elected Members and Officers will assess applications with a view to responding to applicants with outcomes by the end of January 2025.
If applying for the upper amount your project will need to outline why it requires a larger budgetary ask.
Yes, you will be allocated a member of the Culture Team to act as your Project Lead. They will be your main point of contact at ECC and will meet you and keep in touch with you throughout your project delivery. They will also help to promote your project via ECC channels, where appropriate. In terms of project management, you are entirely responsible for this aspect of your project. You will need to consider all safety issues relating to your project and ensure that the relevant safe guarding is in place. You must carry out risk assessments, where appropriate, and apply for any necessary event licenses relating to your project.
Yes, you can apply more than once to the Arts & Cultural Fund however, these are Project Grants and therefore cannot be used for ongoing funding and cannot support the same project year on year. The previous project must be completed and evaluated before the subsequent project commences.
Yes, appeals against decisions made by the Cultural Grant Assessment Board should be made in writing within 14-days of the applicant being informed of a grant decision. The Appeals Panel will convene and review whether to uphold or reject the appeal within available resources. All decisions made will be final and there is no further right of appeal.
Yes, ECC reserves the right to withdraw a grant in whole or in part, even after notification of approval, in appropriate circumstances. For example, if circumstances have fundamentally changed from those indicated in the application or the authority receives further information which fundamentally alters the value or appropriateness of the project. The applicant must inform ECC of any changes to circumstances that may affect its operational abilities eg, administration, receivership, loss of expected funding, changes to organisational aims and/or constitution.