Deadline: 18-Nov-22
The Cultural Development Fund Round 3 is now open for applications.
The aim of the Cultural Development Fund is to level up through investment in culture. The fund will unlock local growth and productivity, increase access to creativity and culture, and regenerate communities through capital investment in transformative place-based creative and cultural initiatives. It will capitalise on the untapped potential for investment in creativity and culture while addressing the regional undersupply and demand for capital funding in creative and cultural infrastructure.
Focus Areas
- new strategic approaches to accelerating growth in high-performing and innovative sectors
- a focus on the creation of a rebalanced economy that will deliver prosperity to all, regardless of geography
- a continued emphasis on the role of culture, heritage and creative industries in making attractive places to live, work, visit and invest in
- local ownership of locally developed growth initiatives, agreed in partnership with local and central government
Funding Information
- Between £2 million (minimum) and £5 million (maximum). Applicants can apply for capital activity with a limited proportion of resource activity.
- Applicants can apply for a maximum of £700,000 for supporting resource activity.
- Activities must start no earlier than 5 April 2023. Activities must end no later than 31 March 2026.
Outcomes
- Unlock local economic growth and productivity – using capital investment in creative and cultural initiatives to grow our worldleading creative industries regionally, create new sustainable jobs, and increase inclusive opportunities for creative and cultural careers
- Become more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest – driving regeneration in marginalised places, particularly places with the lowest levels of cultural engagement across England by using creative and cultural investment to support recovery and renewal, retain and attract business investment and tourism, increase civic pride and cultural engagement, and foster community cohesion and strong local institutions and assets.
- Strengthen local leadership, partnerships and capability – creating resilient, diverse leadership and partnerships, and improving skills in the creative and cultural sectors and local government in order to secure recovery and promote inclusive growth.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Cultural Development Fund is open to places in England (excluding London) that have a strategic vision for their development and can demonstrate both cultural maturity and commitment to creative and culture-led growth but need investment in physical and/or digital infrastructure or other assets to accelerate and maximise their impact.
- It is expected that applications will be from a partnership for the area, led by a local authority, Local Enterprise Partnership or other appropriate body that would lead a consortium of partners from both the public and private sectors, and the voluntary sector where appropriate. It is expected that at least one partner would be from the cultural, heritage or commercial creative industries, depending on who is most appropriate to meet the aims and objectives of the proposed activity.
- One organisation must act as the lead organisation and submit the application. The lead applicant must be a formally constituted organisation.
For more information, visit https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/our-open-funds/cultural-investment-fund/cultural-development-fund-round-three
