Hoping to Secure Arts Funding? Here’s How It Works

You can apply for several types of arts funding.

• Grants: These are sums of money awarded by various arts bodies, local government departments, or charitable organisations. They do not need to be repaid, which makes them one of the most desirable funding options.
• Seed commissions: Usually awarded by theatre companies or venues, seed commissions are small amounts of money offered to writers, theatre makers, and emerging theatre companies to help them develop a new project. They may be used as part of the budget on a larger grant application to produce the work in full.
• Support in-kind: This refers to any “non-cash contributions” to your project (for example, rehearsal space, materials, or marketing support) that are provided for free, or at a reduced rate. Such support can significantly reduce some of the upfront costs, as well as show funding bodies that there is additional support for your work.
• Sponsorship: Businesses, corporate partners, or even individuals might be willing to offer financial backing in exchange for branding opportunities or other perks (for example, creatives run workshops or behind-the-scenes rehearsal diaries).
• Crowdfunding: This is a popular method of community funding, where individuals are asked to contribute donations via online platforms, often in return for small perks or rewards (for example, a social media shoutout, copies of the play, or merchandise).
• Private investment: Investors may provide funding in exchange for a share of profits, though this is more common in large-scale commercial productions.

Before you can apply for funding, there are some important things you need to be clear on about your project: 

1. The concept: What is the production about? What makes it unique or interesting? This is your chance to get funders or investors excited about your creative vision, so show them the heart and soul of your idea by painting a vivid picture. Use clear, concise sentences, and avoid acronyms and jargon they may not be familiar with. 

2. The team: Highlight the experience and credentials of the creative team. Who are the key people, and why are they the right fit for this project? Define roles and responsibilities clearly.

3. Your project plan: One of the most common reasons projects fail is due to poor planning and project managing. Show potential funders that you have a clear plan to shepherd the project through to delivery – as well as the finances for it.   

4. The impact: Funders want to know how the project will benefit the local community or target audience. This could involve cultural enrichment, accessibility, community engagement, or educational opportunities. They also want to know what the outcomes will be for you. How will this project impact your career?

5. The budget: You need to be able to demonstrate exactly how the funds will be spent. Funders need to know that their investment will be used efficiently and that people working on the project will be appropriately paid for their time and contributions.

Whether you are writing an application for a grant, asking for sponsorship, or crowdfunding, the key to financial success lies in how you present your project. So, get clear on all of the above to give yourself the best chance of raising the necessary sums.

• Network, network, network: Networking is key to raising money. Engage with theatres and arts venues, which may be able to offer support in-kind; build relationships with other theatre makers who might come on board; attend events and conferences to meet potential partners; and contact any organisations or community groups that have a link to the subject matter of the work you are developing and creating.  
• Diversify your funding: Don't rely on a single funding source. Successful theatre projects typically raise money from multiple avenues, such as applying for grants, running a crowdfunding campaign, seeking sponsorships, and securing in-kind donations. Diversifying your funding strategies not only reduces the financial risks associated with your project, but it also increases your chances of being awarded a grant. For example, Arts Council England (ACE) asks you to “find at least 10% of your project budget from sources other than Arts Council England.” Whilst that can include your projected box-office income, your chances of being awarded a grant will increase if you have confirmed funding from another source before you apply to ACE.
• Build your audience early: Building relationships with local community groups and engaging with audiences early on can generate much-needed support for crowdfunding campaigns; it also demonstrates to arts-funding bodies that there is clear engagement with your project from specific target groups.

• Arts councils: The main source of arts funding in the UK is ACE. Its National Lottery Project Grants are open year-round, and individual artists can apply for grants between £1,000 and £100,000. Take its handy “Am I ready?” quiz to see whether you're in a position to apply.
  
  Based in another part of the UK? Creative Scotland, the Arts Council of Wales, or the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are the regional funding bodies. 
• Your local council: Many local authorities such as Norfolk County Council, Bradford Council (in partnership with Bradford 2025), Calderdale Council, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea offer grants for the arts (including theatre and theatre makers) of varying amounts – from £500 to £15,000 in the case of these councils. Check with your local council or regional arts boards for funding opportunities in your area.
• Foundations and trusts: The Leche Trust offers performing arts grants of around £4,000 to any UK-registered charities for the “development, production, and/or performance of new works in music, theatre, dance, and performance across all genres.” 

The Paul Hamlyn Ideas and Pioneers Fund supports “individuals, groups, and small organisations who want to explore a new idea for social change,” with grants up to £20,000. Anyone can apply, provided the work will take place in the UK, though it focuses on awarding funding to those aged 18–30.

The John Fernald Award is for “theatre directors or theatre makers who work in live performance” and is to “fund or part-fund the successful applicant in directing their play.” The money should go only towards the director or theatre maker’s fees on the project (rather than production costs), which could make a sizable contribution to the overall project budget, helping to secure match funding elsewhere. 

The Peggy Ramsay Foundation offers grants up to £5,000 for writers wishing to write a new stage play. This could be used to cover the writer's fees in the overall production budget, making a significant contribution to the total production costs.
 
The Black Artists Grant, offered by Creative Debuts, awards £500 once a month to Black artists of all creative disciplines; it can be spent on “whatever [you] want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials…or to even just cover some life expenses.”

• Theatres, theatre companies, and arts organisations: Venues such as the Barbican, Camden People’s Theatre, and Leeds Playhouse run programmes that support theatre makers with the development of new work.

There are also many theatre companies, such as New Earth Theatre or Graeae Theatre Company, that offer seed commissions, which can be used to help secure match funding for the development of your project.

As for producers, Stage One is an organisation that offers bursaries of up to £20,000 to “independent commercial theatre producers who have proven they are on a clear trajectory of development within the industry.” If you aren’t a producer yourself, then it may be worth finding a producer who is keen to produce your project as part of their bursary application.

Raising money for a theatre production can be challenging, but with plenty of research and a generous helping of hustle, it is entirely possible.