Aims/priorities: The aim of the Cultural Development Fund is to level up through investment in culture across England. The fund will unlock local growth and productivity, increase access to excellent creativity and culture, and regenerate communities. It will achieve this through capital investment in transformative place-based creative and cultural initiatives.
Through implementing creative and cultural initiatives, Round Four of the programme will support places to achieve the following outcomes:
- Unlock local economic growth and productivity.
- Become more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest.
- Strengthen local leadership, partnerships and capability.
The aim is to 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.
Who can apply? Applications are accepted from partnerships between formally constituted organisations from both the public and private sectors, and the voluntary sector (where appropriate).
The lead organisation must be properly constituted with a governing document and be based in England. The lead should be a local authority, combined authority, mayoral authority, Local Enterprise Partnership, university, cultural organisation, or other appropriate body.
Registered charities, community interest companies, local cultural education partnerships, and music education hubs can apply or lead a partnership, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and are capable of delivering the project successfully.
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 outcomes of the proposed activity.
The Fund is open to all places in England, where additional investment will unlock significant economic returns and productivity increases. These are places that can demonstrate both cultural maturity and commitment to excellence in creative and culture-led growth. They should have a strategic vision for development, but need investment in physical and/or digital infrastructure or other assets to accelerate and maximise impact.
Applications are particularly welcomed from towns and cities identified as 109 Levelling Up for Culture Places and Arts Council England Priority Places in London, and priority will be given to supporting applications from these places.
Applicants to previous rounds of the Cultural Development Fund are eligible to apply again to this round. However, they must ensure that their planned activity reflects the most recent aims and outcomes of the Fund.
Grant amount: The total budget available for Round Four is £15.2 million. Individual grants of between £2 million and £5 million are available.
Applicants can apply for a maximum of £700,000 for supporting resource activity within their total budget.
Application process: Expressions of Interest for Round Four will be accepted between 9am on 5 February 2024 and 12pm (midday) on 15 March 2024.
The full online application form will open at 12pm (midday) on 8 April 2024. The deadline for submitting full applications is 12pm (midday) on 17 May 2024.
Applicants will be notified of the decision outcome in late Summer 2024.
At the moment, it is not anticipated that there will be another round of CDF.
Activities must start between 1 November 2024 and 1 April 2026, and end no later than 31 March 2028
Applications are made online.
Deadline: Friday 15 March 2024.
Contact information: Email: enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Website: Cultural Development Fund: Round Four | Arts Council England