The Creative Industry Finance pilot programme has been established by Arts Council England with the following aims:
- to provide access to finance for small and medium enterprises operating within the cultural/creative industries, enabling business growth and supporting talent development
- to improve the business skills and commercial experience of small and medium enterprises operating within the cultural/creative industries
- to improve the financial profile/lending history of creative industry small and medium enterprises with growth potential, enabling them to attract further investment from the private sector, thereby becoming more sustainable as independent enterprises
- to provide an evidence base for the demand and effectiveness of loan finance as an alternative to grant funding for commercially viable cultural and creative industry enterprises
The programme comprises two components:
1) training and support - up to 12 hours one-to-one business development support with a specialist business adviser
2) access to finance - an opportunity to apply for a loan of up to £25,000 to help you develop and grow your business
