Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Creative Individuals Fund supports artists and creative practitioners across the United Kingdom who are developing artistic projects, creative practice, or professional development opportunities. The fund is designed to help individuals advance their creative work across a wide range of disciplines while expanding access to opportunities within the arts sector.
Administered by the Hugo Burge Foundation, the programme offers grants of up to £5,000 for individual projects and provides additional access support funding to help remove barriers to participation.
About the Creative Individuals Fund
The Creative Individuals Fund is part of the Hugo Burge Foundation’s commitment to supporting creativity and expanding access to the arts throughout the United Kingdom. The Foundation invests in initiatives that help individuals and communities develop creative skills, pursue artistic ambitions, and contribute to the cultural sector.
The fund supports both emerging and established creative practitioners seeking financial assistance to develop projects, strengthen their practice, or explore new creative opportunities.
About the Hugo Burge Foundation
The Hugo Burge Foundation is a charitable organisation that promotes creativity and artistic opportunity across the UK.
Its wider activities include:
- Supporting creative education
- Promoting access to the arts
- Funding heritage craft apprenticeships
- Supporting major public artworks
- Creating opportunities for young people
- Encouraging community participation in creative activities
- Helping individuals fulfil their creative potential
The Creative Individuals Fund forms part of this broader commitment to nurturing creativity and artistic development.
Programme Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Support individual artists and creative practitioners
- Enable the development of artistic projects
- Strengthen creative practice across disciplines
- Expand access to creative opportunities
- Remove barriers to participation in the arts
- Encourage innovation and artistic exploration
- Support professional and creative growth
- Increase opportunities for underrepresented creatives
Projects should demonstrate how funding will contribute to artistic development or creative practice.
Funding Available
The programme offers:
- Total fund allocation of £50,000 for 2026
- Individual grants of up to £5,000
- Additional access support funding
Applicants may request funding for all or part of a proposed project.
What the Funding Supports
Funding can be used to support:
- Artistic project development
- Creative research and experimentation
- Professional artistic practice
- Creative production activities
- Development of new work
- Skill development opportunities
- Creative exploration and innovation
- Activities that strengthen artistic careers
The fund is intended to provide flexible support that helps individuals progress their creative ambitions.
Creative Disciplines Supported
The programme is open to projects across all creative disciplines.
Examples may include:
- Visual arts
- Performing arts
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Literature and writing
- Film and media arts
- Photography
- Craft and design
- Interdisciplinary arts
- Digital arts
- Heritage and traditional creative practices
The fund welcomes a diverse range of artistic approaches and creative expressions.
Access Support Fund
An additional access support fund has been established to improve accessibility during the application process.
The access support fund totals:
- £7,000 available separately from project grants
Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Access Support Available
Eligible applicants may receive:
- Up to £300 per day for access support workers
Support may assist applicants who face barriers when preparing and submitting applications.
Examples include:
- Communication support
- Application assistance
- Administrative support
- Accessibility-related assistance
The purpose is to make the application process more inclusive and accessible.
Who Can Access Support?
The access support fund is available to applicants who may face barriers to participation.
This includes:
- Deaf individuals
- Disabled individuals
- Neurodivergent individuals
- Other applicants requiring additional support
The programme adopts an inclusive approach to accessibility.
Evidence Requirements
Applicants seeking access support should note:
- No proof or formal diagnosis is required
- Applicants are not required to provide medical evidence
- Support is based on identified need
This approach is intended to reduce barriers and improve accessibility.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to individuals based anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Eligible applicants include:
- Artists
- Creative practitioners
- Independent creatives
- Freelance artists
- Emerging practitioners
- Established professionals
Applicants should be seeking support for artistic development or creative practice.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be based in the United Kingdom
- Apply as an individual
- Be pursuing creative practice or artistic development
- Propose an eligible artistic project or activity
- Meet programme requirements and deadlines
Projects should clearly demonstrate how funding will support creative growth and development.
Why This Fund Matters
Many artists and creative practitioners face financial barriers when developing new work, exploring ideas, or advancing their careers. Small grants can provide essential support during critical stages of creative development.
The Creative Individuals Fund helps:
- Support artistic innovation
- Encourage creative experimentation
- Expand access to funding opportunities
- Promote artistic development
- Reduce participation barriers
- Strengthen the UK creative sector
- Support diverse creative voices
- Enable professional growth for artists
By providing both project funding and accessibility support, the programme seeks to create more equitable opportunities within the arts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much funding can an individual receive?
Applicants may request up to £5,000 for their artistic project or creative practice. - What is the total funding available in 2026?
The Creative Individuals Fund has a total allocation of £50,000 for 2026. - Is there additional accessibility funding available?
Yes. A separate access support fund of £7,000 is available on a first-come, first-served basis. - How much can be claimed for access support workers?
Eligible applicants may receive up to £300 per day for access support workers. - Who can apply for access support funding?
Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, and other applicants who require support to complete the application process. - Is medical evidence required to access support funding?
No. Applicants are not required to provide proof, documentation, or a formal diagnosis. - Who can apply for the Creative Individuals Fund?
Individuals based anywhere in the United Kingdom who are seeking support for artistic projects or creative practice.
Conclusion
The Creative Individuals Fund 2026 provides valuable support for artists and creative practitioners across the UK seeking to develop projects, strengthen their practice, and advance their creative careers. With grants of up to £5,000 and a dedicated access support fund, the programme promotes greater participation in the arts while helping individuals pursue innovative and meaningful creative work across all artistic disciplines.
For more information, visit The Hugo Burge Foundation.