Funding for Artists
By Sarah Francis
Where to Start
If you are new to funding start with low competition, low effort funds.
If you are developing your practice look at development funding.
If you have a clear project, apply for project funding.
Why this Matters
Funding is not just about access. It is about knowing where your work fits.
Many artists apply to the wrong funds, targeting opportunities that do not match their stage or the strength of their idea. This leads to rejection, wasted time, and stalled momentum.
This page is designed to help you make better decisions. It supports you to identify the right funding for your work, apply strategically, and build confidence through realistic, achievable steps.
How to Read this List
Each fund includes:
- Stage: early, development, project
- Competition: low / medium / high
- Beginner friendly: yes / no
- Access support: yes / limited / none
- Decision time: typical turnaround
- Effort: low / medium / high
Core National Funding
Arts Council England
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk
Stage: Development / Project
Competition: High
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: Yes
Decision time: ~12–16 weeks
Effort: High
- Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP)
- National Lottery Project Grants
Use when: you have a strong, clearly developed proposal.
Small Grants and Quick Access Funding
Some of the most useful funding comes from smaller, less competitive grants. These are often the fastest way to move work forward.
The White Pube Creatives Grant
https://thewhitepube.co.uk/grants/
£500 monthly
Stage: Early
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: No
Decision time: ~4 weeks
Effort: Low
- Open to all creatives
- No restrictions on use
Use when: you need flexible support quickly.
The Eaton Fund
https://eatonfund.org.uk/artists-application-form/
Up to ~£350
Stage: Early
Competition: Low
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: No
Decision time: ~4–8 weeks
Effort: Low
- Visual artists only
Use when: you need a small top-up to complete work.
The Gane Trust
http://www.ganetrust.org.uk/apply
Up to ~£1,000
Stage: Early / Development
Competition: Low to Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: No
Decision time: ~8–12 weeks
Effort: Low
- Materials, tools, training
Use when: you need support to develop work.
Project and Development Funding
The Elephant Trust
https://elephanttrust.org.uk/apply/
Up to £5,000
Stage: Project
Competition: High
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: No
Decision time: ~8–12 weeks
Effort: Medium
- Supports new work and exhibitions
Use when: you have a clear project and need funding to realise it.
a-n Artist Bursaries
https://www.a-n.co.uk/bursaries/
£500–£1,500
Stage: Development
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Limited
Decision time: ~8–10 weeks
Effort: Medium
- Requires membership
Use when: you want structured development funding.
Unlimited
Stage: Project / Commission
Competition: High
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: Yes
Decision time: varies
Effort: High
- For disabled artists
Hardship and Access Support
SANE Creative Awards
https://www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/sane-creative-awards-scheme
Up to £300
Stage: Early
Competition: Low
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Yes
Decision time: ~4–6 weeks
Effort: Low
- For artists with mental health needs or carers
Use when: you need support to continue making work.
Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust
https://www.oppenheimdownestrust.org
£250–£1,000
Stage: Mid-career
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: No
Decision time: ~3–4 months
Effort: Low
- For artists aged 30+
Use when: you need support to sustain your practice.
Artists’ General Benevolent Institution
Stage: Crisis
Competition: Low
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Yes
Decision time: varies
Effort: Low
- Emergency financial support
Use when: you are unable to continue working.
Discipline Specific Funding
PRS Foundation
Stage: Project / Development
Competition: High
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: Limited
Decision time: varies
Effort: High
- Music funding
Society of Authors
Stage: Development
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Limited
Decision time: varies
Effort: Medium
- Grants for writers
Funding Directories and Opportunity Lists
If you are not sure where to start, these platforms list regularly updated opportunities.
ACAVA
https://www.acava.org/resources-artists/
Jerwood Arts
https://jerwood.org/signposting/
Funding for All
https://fundingforall.org.uk/find-funds/arts-culture/
British Council
https://arts.britishcouncil.org/get-involved/opportunities
Leeds and Local Funding
Leeds funding is split between cultural funding and community funding. Choose based on your project.
Leeds Cultural Investment Programme
https://leedscultureprogrammes.org.uk
Stage: Programme / Organisation
Competition: High
Beginner friendly: No
Access support: Limited
Decision time: long cycle
Effort: High
Use when: delivering large-scale or ongoing cultural work in Leeds.
Leeds Community Foundation
https://www.leedscf.org.uk/grants/
Stage: Community project
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Limited
Decision time: ~8–12 weeks
Effort: Medium
Use when: your work has clear community impact.
Leeds Community Foundation – Open Grants
https://www.leedscf.org.uk/open-grants/
Stage: Early / Project
Competition: Medium
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: Limited
Decision time: varies
Effort: Medium
Leeds City Council Community Committees
Stage: Early
Competition: Low
Beginner friendly: Yes
Access support: No
Decision time: ~4–8 weeks
Effort: Low
Use when: your project is locally focused.
Need support?
APS offers 1:1 mentoring and application support for funding including DYCP and Project Grants.
If you want to apply strategically, avoid wasted applications, and build a strong track record, we can help.
The Mill Gallery
Unit 5 Cardinal House
Swinnow Grange Mills
Leeds
LS13 4EP
