ARTS projects running cultural activities in Coventry will be able to bid for funding, as the city council makes up to £72,000 available for a two-year small grants scheme.
The funding for arts project will run every six months for the next two years. Each round will offer similar grants of £5,000 – £12,000 to applicants – amounting to £72,000. A total of £375,000 has been earmarked for funding small arts projects until autumn 2022.
Eight grants have so far been awarded in the initial round with successful projects including Grain Project CIC, Highly Sprung, Imagineers, Koco Community Centre, Open Theatre, Photographic Archive Miners CIC, Stamp Theatre and Wriggle Dance for activities taking place up until March 2021.
The council hopes the funding scheme will further support activities, particularly supporting communities less likely to be engaged in arts, during City of Culture 2021 and the Commonwealth Games in 2023.
Coun David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We plan to issue four call outs for funding every six months because it is especially important to help the sector during these difficult times.
“All funded activities need to demonstrate that they can operate a Covid safe approach.
“We will be getting in touch with the successful projects for this first round and will be following it up with the next bidding process opening in January 2021.
“This enables the Council to use its limited funds to leverage funds in other resources including those from the Arts Council lottery projects fund, from trusts and foundations, from earned income and sponsorship.
“We’ve been pleased, and not surprised, by the level of interest so far.”
Activities delivered by professional artists which enable and encourage people less likely to participate or be engaged in cultural activities will be given priority.
To be eligible for funding, applicants have to be not-for-profit arts organisations. Advice on applying for future funding will be available from [email protected]
