Covid-19 support
The latest advice, guidance and emergency funding measures the Arts Council, government and several external organisations have put in place to address the Covid-19/coronavirus crisis.
Christmas Closure
Please note: Our customer services team will be closed from Thursday 24 December until Monday 4 January 2021.
We will be unable to respond to emails during this time but you can contact us with your questions from 4 January 2021.
If you need help before 4 January and possibly get your answer quicker please check the links below for information before you get in touch...
Latest news
We're administering two funds as part of the government's Culture Recovery Fund, to help cultural organisations transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model during April-June 2021. These funds are part of the £1.57 billion government investment designed to tackle the crisis facing our cultural organisations and heritage sites as a result of Covid-19.
Culture Recovery Fund: Grants Second Round
What you can apply for: Grants between £25,000 and £3 million to help cultural organisations transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model during April-June 2021.
Culture Recovery Fund: Repayable Finance Round Two
What you can apply for: Loans of £1 million or over to support costs that are part of a plan to achieve financial sustainability and/or increase organisational resilience. Funding can only cover the period up to 31 March 2022.
Our investment so far
We’ve invested in four programmes so far through the Government’s landmark Culture Recovery Fund. These are:
- Grants - first round
- Repayable Finance - first round
- Capital Kickstart
- Emergency Grassroots Music Venues
All of these funds are now closed to applications, we've communicated decisions with applicants and we’re in the process of allocating funding awards in stages, as per funding agreements.
GET THE LATEST INVESTMENT DATA
Support from the Arts Council
We've re-opened National Lottery Project Grants, increasing the budget by £18 million to make £75 million available to individuals, community and cultural organisations.
To help creatives step up their work in new ways, we've re-opened Developing Your Creative Practice and increased the budget from £3.6 million to £18 million. Round 9 will open for applications in December 2020.
We know that freelance workers in the sector, from technicians to producers, are also suffering, so we're investing an extra £2 million in funds that support these workers.
How we're working
We've set out three phases to supporting you through the Covid-19 crisis – they are response, stabilisation and reset. We're also working with the government as part of the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and Sector Working Groups.
Support available
Emergency Response Funds
We made £160 million of emergency funding available for organisations and individuals who needed immediate support. The funds are now closed but if you were awarded emergency funding, find out the next steps below.
Got a question?
Our customer services team will be closed from Thursday 24 December until Monday 4 January 2021. We will be unable to respond to emails during this time but you can contact us with your questions from 4 January 2021.
