THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS (THE ARTS SOCIETY) CHARITY GRANTS: SPRING 2025 ROUND
– Grants of up to £2,000 are available to UK registered charities with an annual income of under £3 million for projects across all aspects of the arts and heritage. Applications for projects that provide access to the arts to those that would not normally have such an opportunity are particularly welcomed.
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o Application deadline: MONDAY 31st MARCH 2025.
o Funder: The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (The Arts Society) (founded 2001. Charity number 1089743. Total charitable expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2023: £2,202,241 (2022: £2,357,397)).
o Who can apply: UK registered charities with an annual income of under £3 million.
o Key words: Arts, Crafts, Heritage, Skills Development, Regional Museums and Arts Galleries, Regional and Local Theatres, Performing Arts Spaces, United Kingdom.
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The Arts Society welcomes applications to the Spring 2025 round of its Charity Grants programme from UK registered charities with an annual turnover of under £3 million whose main activity is in the arts, crafts and heritage sectors. Applicants may apply for a grant up to a maximum of £2,000.
The Society accepts applications for projects across all aspects of the arts and heritage. It especially encourages applications for projects that provide opportunities for participation for those who would not normally have access to the arts.
Applications are welcomed for arts projects or programmes that:
o Support a wide range of activities to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to – and engage them in – artistic experience and practice.
o Further the development and training of skills in the arts, crafts and heritage. This might include bursaries for individual students and sponsorship for craft apprentices.
o Place an emphasis on localism and projects and organisations that support the arts and heritage at grass roots level and achieve greater impact for local communities.
The Society states that the “work of regional and local museums and galleries is important in connecting people with their local heritage and arts; yet these institutions often struggle to raise funds for projects and internships during times of budget cuts. Our grants may support special projects, displays, internship or part-time posts, training and conservation activities. We will also consider applications involving regional and local theatres and performing arts spaces and groups”.
Projects must:
o Make a difference to people’s lives.
o Be viable and sustainable.
o Be well managed.
o Be related to the arts, crafts, heritage or conservation of arts and heritage.
o Have a robust budget.
o Demonstrate sound financial management.
o Include publicity for The Arts Society, and
o Be documented, tracked and reported back to The Arts Society.
Funding is not available for:
o Applications that do not comply with the application procedures.
o Capital expenditure or staff costs.
o Charities whose main activity is not in the arts, crafts and heritage sectors.
o Charities with a turnover of more than £3 million.
o Core costs.
o Individuals.
o Organisations that are not UK Registered Charities (please note that Community Interest Companies are not eligible to apply).
o Projects that have already started or have been completed.
o Repeat applications (the Society asks all successful applicants to wait at least 12 months before reapplying).
o Requests for a grant of over £2,000, or
o Schools – Primary, Secondary and 6th Form. This includes Parent-Teacher Associations and ‘Friends of’ organisations. However, the Society’s member organisation may be able to fund schools arts projects. You can click on this LINK to find your nearest Society.
Please note that an applying organisation’s reserves will be taken into account. The Charity Commission defines reserves as “that part of a charity’s income funds that is freely available“.
The Society has a 2-stage application process, as follows:
o Stage 1 – applicants a required to register their organisation with The Arts Society through an online portal on the Society’s website.
o Stage 2 – applicants can then access and complete the online application form.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply can be found on the Society’s website.
The deadline for applications is Monday 31st March 2025.