Arts grants
Information about grants to arts organisations in Nottinghamshire
The Arts Service has two grant schemes for local organisations:
- Arts Service Community Fund
- Strategic major grants
Arts Service Community Fund
The aim of the fund is to enable local groups and organisations develop new, high quality and innovative Arts Projects in their communities or provide additional skills for the organisation.
Applications are only accepted from Groups and Organisations resident in the County (excluding the City of Nottingham). The maximum grant awarded is £700.
Previous applicants can re-apply but only for significantly different projects, up to a maximum of two successful applications over three calendar years.
Please be aware we receive many more applications than we can fund.
What we don’t fund:
- Amateur or school productions
- Salaried staff costs
- General administration costs
- Travel costs
- Insurance
- Groups and organisations already in receipt of County Council funding
- Projects which only have minimal arts content
- Projects which are not open to a wide section of the community.
Criteria for applications
Meeting the following criteria does not guarantee grant aid funding. An offer of funding will be solely at the Council’s discretion:
- Applicants are expected to have contacted their District/Borough Councils and applied for other funding to support their project
- The Project involves a Professional Artist(s)
- The Project enhances the skills, knowledge and experience of the people involved
- The Project is open and accessible
- Any venues, schools or community groups cited as partners fully endorse your project.
Download a copy of our Criteria for Community Arts Funding [PDF 57KB] 
Please note: We will not give grants to cover goods or services that you buy or order before you receive our offer letter.
How can I apply?
Download a copy of the Community Initiative Fund Application Form [PDF 113KB] and post it to:
Grant Aid Administrator
Cultural services (Arts)
Nottinghamshire County Council
County Offices
Thoroton Road
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 5FT
Tel: 0115 977 4424
E-mail: artsadmin@nottscc.gov.uk
Help and advice
It is recommended that you discuss your project prior to submitting an application.
For advice please contact the Arts Service on tel: 0115 977 4589 or e-mail: artsadmin@nottscc.gov.uk
Download the Arts Service's Beginner's Guide to Arts Funding [PDF 953KB]
Strategic major grants
The County Council grant aids a small number of organisations. Applications are considered once a year in January. We receive more applications than the budget available and therefore look to prioritise applications which address specific themes and issues.
We also prioritise those applications which show a specific time limited need for grant aid support rather than a general long term subsidy need.
All applications should:
- show specific quantifiable benefit to the people of Nottinghamshire
- include specific measurable targets in terms of audiences /participants
- demonstrate high quality delivery
- demonstrate the managerial capacity to administer public money
- All applications should clearly show the criteria against which they will measure success or failure of the programme.
The priorities for the arts service in 08/09 are:
Offering access to cultural activities for those who have limited opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from organisations offering opportunities to people in our communities who have limited access to cultural opportunities.
Supporting volunteering within the community
We particularly welcome applications from organisations run by volunteers who can demonstrate a specific need within their community.
Supporting partnerships
We particularly welcome applications from organisations who are working in partnership with other funding bodies and organisations and can demonstrate that grant aid from the county council will lever significant additional income.
Prior financial support from the County Council should not be seen as a guarantee of future support. With increasing demands on funds applicants are advised not to commit funds with the expectation of support from the County Council before they receive official notification of the success of the application.
Major Awards in 08/09
- Cantamus Girls Choir
- Dance 4, regional dance agency
- Magdala Opera Trust
- Jazzhouse
- Random Line Performance Company
- Lowdham Festivals
- Newark & District Music Club.
Applications for major grants are accepted in October each year but all applications should be discussed with the Arts Service beforehand.
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