Finding your Funding

27 April 2020

We know that as a young creative many sources of income are at risk of drying up during lockdown. In these uncertain times, the health of your bank balance is as important as ever.

Whether you’re a content creator, a copywriter, theatre maker, photographer, filmmaker, visual artist, designer or maker, there are still opportunities out there...

Artists, Designers and Makers

Whilst Arts Council England’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund is now closed, there are still opportunities and funds available for artists and creative practitioners.

a-n have launched Time Space Money, artists and arts organisations can apply for up to £1.5K to support your continued creative practice and artistic development.

Artquest’s WFH (work from home) Residency is offering awards of £1K to support artists during the lockdown. They’re looking for collaborative or co-operative work.

Freelands Foundation have set up an emergency fund of £1.5m to support artists and freelancers.

The FLAMIN Fellowship will support six artists at the early stages of their career, each with projects that they would like to develop. There’s mentoring, development support and £2.5K on offer to develop new work.

Metal Remote Residencies have three stages of funding available for artists to develop their practice.

Sustainability First is running an Art Prize for original, radical ideas in response to the question ‘How do we build from the current corona crisis towards a more sustainable future?’

Photography, Film or TV

Whilst applications to the BFI Covid- 19 Emergency Relief Fund are currently closed but you can access 24/7 helpline and financial guidance from their website here.

Film and Video Umbrella launch programme BEYOND, seeking proposals for films made with minimal equipment, crew, and space with £2.5K grants on the table.

Innovate Grants available for photographers and artists from anywhere in the world.

Film and TV Charity are offering grants through the Family Support Fund and Going Places Fund.

Theatre and Dance

Whether you’re a performer or you thrive behind-the-scenes, the performance sector has mobilised in order to offer mutual support, job opportunities and emergency funding.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge writer of Fleabag and Killing Eve has teamed up with Soho Theatre to offer grants of up to £3K through the Fleabag Fund.

Theatre sector union ‘Equity’ is providing up to £350 to actors and they will waiver your subscription fee if you have one already!

Funds For Freelancers A financial resource for actors, creatives, ushers working in theatre

Live Art Development Agency are commissioning artists to host digital conversations on topics including migration, environmental crisis, collective care and performance.

Common Theatre, who make arts and culture accessible to the working class, are looking for an Executive Producer, along with Complicite who have an opening for a Project Producer.

Grants for dancers are available through the Dance Professionals Fund.

And to find paid work check out the Digital Theatre Resources sheet from Olivia Munk.

Interested in Exhibitions, Museum and Galleries...

The Museum of Youth Culture and IHR are offering four paid Research Internships as part of the project ‘Setting the Record Straight’

Museum Freelancers Hardship Fund from the Museum Freelance Network provides grants of £200 to museum freelancers. The first 10 grants will go to those who started freelancing in 2019/20 and aren’t eligible for the government's Self Employed Income Support Scheme.

National Portrait Gallery and Birkbeck Uni are offering a fully-funded studentship addressing the link between the NPG and historical transatlantic slavery.

Support for writers

Writer in Residence opportunity at Rabbits Road Institute Library for writers living or working in Barking & Dagenham and neighbouring boroughs of Redbridge, Newham and Havering. £1.5K fee and £1k project funding available.

Society of Authors are offering writers up to £2K in funding to help out those most affected by coronavirus

The Phil Fox Award for playwriting is looking for talented writers. A £6K commission is on the table.

The Nick Darke Award 2020 is now open for submissions with a prize of £6K!

Music and Radio

Check out the artists and musicians coronavirus relief fund..

Ofcom are providing emergency funding through the Community Radio Fund

Support for Music Contractors is available from Association of Independent Music

Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund is now closed to any new applications. However, their Do It Differently fund is helping musicians continue with creative projects during the disruption.

PRS Emergency Relief Fund will be offering payments of up to £1000 to affected members including songwriters and composers

Members of MU can apply for grants of £200 through their Coronavirus Hardship Fund

And a list of organisations offering financial support for people working in the music industry.

And other sources of funding

Hope for the Young offering up to £250 for young asylum seekers or refugees who are vulnerable and in need of immediate financial support.

The Prince’s Trust and NatWest are offering young entrepreneurs aged 18-30 grants and tailored support

Apply for micro-grants of up to £400 through the Neighbourly Community Fund

If you are part of the Create Jobs Alumni network and would like support with your application to any funds or opportunities, we are holding bi-weekly individual support sessions. Get in touch to book a session.