Below you will find funding and resources available to those in the creative community and cultural sector. Opportunities with deadlines in the near future are ordered at the top and those with rolling deadlines or open programmes further down. Information is accurate at time of writing but please ensure you visit the website of the individual funder as some details may be subject to change due to the current situation.
This list will be updated as and when information becomes available so make sure you come back and keep looking. If you know of something that we've missed and could be shared please do let us know by contacting TheFireWithin@wigan.gov.uk.
45 minute 1-2-1 surgery sessions for creative practitioners and arts & heritage groups and organisations across the borough. An opportunity to talk with Wigan Council's Culture Team about everything funding. It could be a project idea you have and don't know where to start, you'd like a bit of guidance on making successful applications or you might have an application you'd like us to look over before you submit it. The session is aimed at supporting with all funding opportunities (not just Council related). Booking essential. Date: Jan - Mar 2021
This fund is for artists based in Greater Manchester who want to develop new performance work in the first half of 2021. GM Artists Hub are offering 3 awards that will each include £5,000 cash investment, a package of bespoke support in kind drawn across GM Artist Hub partners, an opportunity to present work-in-progress to a public audience, and post-sharing feedback from GM Artist Hub partners including exploring potential for the work to be taken to full production in future.Deadline: 10/01/2021, midnight.
This fund is part of the rescue package announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to safeguard cultural and heritage organisations from the economic impact of COVID-19. This second round looks forward to spring and early summer 2021 when it is expected that cultural organisations will be able to operate with fewer restrictions, and will offer grants of between £10,000 and £3 million to support organisations to make the transition towards full reopening.Deadline: 26/01/2021
Decided by Wigan and Leigh Youth Cabinet, grants of up to £500 are available to anyone aged 8-19 years old in the Borough with an idea for a particular youth activity or toward your local youth group.Deadline: 31/01/2021
National Lottery Project Grants supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations. Until April 2021, the fund will focus on the needs of smaller independent organisations and individual practitioners. Deadline: 01/04/2021
All deadlines are open/rolling unless stated otherwise.
The ABF supports professional actors and stage managers who cannot work with helping you manage your household expenses until you get back on your feet.
Support given to freelance dancers across genres including ballet, contemporary, Black and Asian dance and hip hop including those with portfolio careers, e.g. choreography, who whose work would normally include employment in the subsidised dance sector.
The Directors Support Scheme offers emergency help to Directors in acute need and is designed for short-term support.
The Coalfields Food Insecurity Response Fund is a new fund to tackle food poverty. We have seen a significant rise over recent years in the coalfields of the number of projects providing food to those who cannot afford it. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem.
Self-employed people can now access Universal Credit at rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay. Next self-assessment payments deferred until January 2021.
This funding is for arts and cultural organisations to show how impact investment could transform the arts and cultural sector.
This funding is to help support authors who have lost income due to cancellation of book tours, lectures, talks, school visits, performances and sales.
Grants supporting organisations in continuing to engage with the public during periods of closure. Encouraging innovative and creative approaches that can be delivered digitally.
Supporting organisations to continue delivering services to people and communities affected by Covid-19.
Hardship grants to people who are working or have worked in a bookshop.
Small hardship grants for musicians who are part of the Musicians Union who have lost work due to the pandemic.
Provides emergency payments for people who have lost their jobs or are on reduced hours due to Coronavirus.
Funds to cover musicians and their families in times of hardship, for example, illness, accident or healthcare costs.
A portal to various sources of information and help, including financial, available to those whose work in the theatre has been interrupted due to the Coronavirus crisis.
Financial help and advice, including FAQs on the furlough scheme, info on gift aid, insurance, and links and resources.
Employers can reclaim up to 80% of their wage costs up to a cap of £2,500 per month, plus (not including) associated employer NICs and minimum auto enrolment pension contributions on that wage.
Government information concerning the change to Working Tax Credits and other benefits in light of the current crisis.
Business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. Businesses that received the retail discount will be rebilled by their local authority shortly.
A one-off grant of £10,000 for eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs.
Scheme giving access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million and for up to 6 years.
Covers charities for both core costs and specific projects. Currently runs fund to help with organisations impacted by Covid-19.
To support community and voluntary organisation on the frontline. Prioritising delivery of services and projects supporting the most vulnerable in the community.
Grants to help sustain the existing work of charities undertaking work with priority groups. Focusing on social welfare and education and learning projects.
Offering creatives 100% free tech and tools to pre-sell tickets, products and bookings now to be redeemed after the crisis.
The Foundation is a grant-making charity which supports cultural learning, the creation of learning spaces within arts and heritage organisations, leadership training, and enhancing Jewish life.
Funding to help regional, national and specialist libraries, archives and museums acquire books, manuscripts and archives that they could not otherwise afford.
The NHMF provides financial assistance towards the acquisition, preservation and maintenance of some of the UK's finest objects and landscapes, from trains to artworks, wildlife havens to manuscripts.
Loan scheme to allow arts and cultural organisations to take on small-scale repayable finance in order to achieve social outcomes. Deadline: 01/08/2021
Fund to support projects in IT, Health, Education, Arts and Environment.
These emergency funds are available to all freelance professional performers and those who work in the theatre profession on a freelance basis.
Grants available for organisations providing young people with skills to get into employment.
Grants available for organisations providing young people with skills to get into employment.
Grants available for organisations that works with or supports the over-70s.
Small grants available for community organisations within the North West that benefit and support local people.
Grants made to a wide variety of community based organisations in the Greater Manchester area but particularly interested in arts organisations and those that work with young people and vulnerable groups.
Charity to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and in particular the fine arts and music.
Supports projects developing the creation, appreciation and awareness of imaginative content for children.