Catalyst Arts

For full information on all the Catalyst programmes visit catalyst-artsandheritage.org.uk

Catalyst offers organisations the opportunity to move their fundraising and development expertise on to the next level, whatever their current starting point. Through all strands of the Catalyst initiative, we aim to attract creative and innovative applications that will test a range of fundraising approaches, from bottom-up audience development and other fundraising techniques, to the development, for those who are ready, of an endowment fund.

Catalyst: endowments

Important notice: Applicant notifications date change
We originally advised applicants that they would receive notification of the outcome of their applications by 31 March 2012. However, we are coordinating the Catalyst: endowments decision making process with a number of stakeholders, including Heritage Lottery Fund, DCMS and the external Advisory Panel – which has added two weeks to our published timeline.  In addition all of the organisations involved are restricted by Cabinet Office guidelines on making public announcements in the weeks approaching local government and Mayoral elections, which this year will be held on 3 May 2012. This means that we’ll now let you know of our decision soon after the elections in May 2012.

As a result, successful applicants will start the three years of their Catalyst activity from the date of the funding agreement, not from 1 April 2012. Relationship Managers can discuss the timetable with you in May.

If you have any queries please contact our enquiries team on 0845 300 6200 or at enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk

Applications are now closed

Catalyst: endowments is a £55m culture sector wide scheme funded jointly by the DCMS, Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. It offers match funding for the purpose of building a new endowment fund, or increasing an existing one.

For more information, and to apply, visit catalyst-artsandheritage.org.uk

Catalyst Arts: capacity building and match funding scheme

Important notice: Applicant notifications date change
We originally advised applicants that they would receive notification of the outcome of their applications by 31 March 2012. However, we have received many more applications to Catalyst Arts: capacity building and match funding than anticipated, over 350 compared to our estimate of 180. As a result, we will be extending the time we take to assess, review and moderate them.

In addition, the Arts Council is restricted by Cabinet Office guidelines on making public announcements in the weeks approaching local government and Mayoral elections. This year elections will be held on 3 May 2012 and our communication activity is affected from mid-April.

This means that we’ll now let you know of our decision soon after the elections in May 2012. 

As a result, successful applicants will start the three years of their Catalyst activity from the date of the funding agreement, not from 1 April 2012. Relationship Managers can discuss the timetable with you in May.

If you have any queries please contact our enquiries team on 0845 300 6200 or at enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk

Applications are now closed

The £30m Catalyst Arts: capacity building and match funding scheme will support organisations in building their fundraising capacity and capability over a three-year period awarding grants of between £120,000 and £240,000.

For more information, and to apply, visit catalyst-artsandheritage.org.uk

Catalyst Arts and Catalyst Heritage fundraising capacity building grants

Applications open: 1 April 2012

These are open access grant schemes aimed at arts and heritage organisations with little or no fundraising experience. Grants of between £15,000 and £25,000 will be awarded to organisations for the purpose of building fundraising capacity and capability so that they can attract new donors, strengthen their financial resilience and enhance their artistic output or engagement with the public.

For more information visit catalyst-artsandheritage.org.uk

Museums, galleries and libraries' eligibility for Catalyst funding

Arts Council England has now assumed responsibility for museum and library sector development and improvement in England from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

For lottery funded programmes, including Catalyst, museums, galleries and libraries should continue to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund  unless they are seeking funding for an arts project, in which case they should apply to the Arts Council.

For more information download the funding eligibility grid below.

Funding eligibility grid
Funding eligibility grid

The bigger picture

These schemes represent some of the measures we are putting in place to help create a more sustainable, resilient and innovative arts sector - one of the five goals set out in Achieving great art for everyone, our 10-year framework for the arts.

Further initiatives which will form part of the £100 million scheme to boost private giving to the arts will be announced shortly.

Catalyst: endowments is a £55m culture sector wide scheme funded jointly by the DCMS, Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. It offers match funding for the purpose of building a new endowment fund, or increasing an existing one.