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Community Arts & Culture Small Grants

To support organisations seeking to develop and deliver high quality cultural experiences, which increase participation in the arts.

The aim of the Community Arts & Culture Grants Scheme is to support community organisations in County Durham seeking to develop and deliver high quality cultural experiences, which increase participation in the arts. The project is an initiative by Durham County Council (DCC) Culture & Sport service which is match funded by the Foundation.

Who can apply?

All applications are required to fit with the Foundation’s funding criteria and demonstrate that they meet the DCC objective of more people of all ages and abilities engaging and participating in cultural experiences. In addition, all projects will need to demonstrate impact against one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Enhanced opportunities for children and young people
  • Improved levels of wellbeing through engagement in community arts
  • Prioritise work with disadvantaged communities, and underrepresented groups e.g. disability, BAME, LGBT
  • Improved and enhanced skills for grant recipients to improve capacity, quality and sustainability of activity

Size of Grant Available

  • Grants of between £1,000 and £2,500 are available
  • You can hold more than one grant from this fund, up to a maximum of £2500
  • Organisations should not expect to receive repeat funding from the Grants Scheme

When to Apply

There are no closing dates for applications and they can be submitted at any time.

As of 1 April 2020 we have introduced significant flexibility in how these grant funds are allocated and managed to reflect the current difficulties and ever changing circumstances. We will next review these on 10 December 2020. For further information please see COVID-19 Guidelines here

Apply Now

Grant Guidelines
Covid notice