There are lots of different organisations that support the arts, with lots of different priorities and deadlines. We’ve rounded up information about those deadlines and organisations and summarised it here – though always check the organisation’s website for full details and the most up-to-date information.
Many will require you to be a registered charity, while others (especially those focused on education) are happy to support individuals. Others support any not for profit organisation.
This is a UK-focused list – if you’re making a show elsewhere, there will probably be other sources of funding available to you to make your show happen. Our Making It Happen guide may help.
Start with these and you will find a long and winding road of fundraising opportunities. Do the leg work and have a look to see what you can find that is applicable to you. Lots of them work far in advance so look now for future projects.
Arts Council England – ongoing applications, various strands
Colwinston Charitable Trust – 4-6 months before the activity, mostly to arts in Wales
Countess of Munster Trust – next deadline around February 2023, Stephen Oliver Award for composer to bring a piece of music theatre to life
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – ongoing applications, community-focused
Fidelio Charitable Trust – next deadline 26th May 2022, especially early career composers
Foyle Foundation – ongoing applications, for financially viable charities
Garfield Weston Foundation – ongoing applications, arts charities
Garrick Club Charitable Trust – ongoing applications, arts charities for artist development
Golsoncott Foundation – next deadline early February, arts education for music
Idlewild Trust – next deadline 15th March 2022, artist development programmes
Jerwood Arts – various opportunities; check website
John Ellerman Foundation – ongoing applications, arts organisations
Leche Trust – next deadline 29th April, for excellent performance of new work
Paul Hamlyn Foundation – ongoing applications, improved arts access
PRS for Music Foundation – various funds (many deadlines on the 15th March 2022), check website
Rayne Foundation – ongoing applications, arts as a tool for social change
Royal Victoria Hall Foundation – deadline last Friday in February, music theatre performance
RVW Trust – next deadline 2nd May 2022, for music performances after 1st August
Unity Theatre Trust – next application window opens February 2022, increase public interest in drama and related arts
Youth Music – next deadline Spring 2022, for young people in the arts
These organisations have pages listing funding options away from their own, some of which may be appropriate for your specific project:
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/other-sources-funding#section-1
https://www.munstertrust.org.uk/funding/funding-guide/composition/
https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/applications/other-sources-funding-help/
www.voluntaryarts.org/Pages/Category/Get-funded
www.helpmusicians.org.uk/get-advice/funding-careers/funding-for-projects/funding-for-projects
www.makingmusic.org.uk/resources/find-a-funding-opportunity
www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Advice/Your-Career/Finance/Sources-of-Funding