Stoke-on-Trent City Council continues to be a proud supporter and sponsor of the development of cultural activities across the city to increase and support engagement across all communities.
To support this objective, the city council have launched the Stoke-on-Trent Culture & Events Project Grants fund to enable organisations in the sector to deliver a diverse range of cultural activities that will enable more Stoke-on-Trent residents and visitors to participate in the cultural verve of Stoke-on-Trent.
Grants Available
This fund will make £75,000 available in 2023/2024, with grants available to eligible cultural activities. Funding awards are not guaranteed and will be assessed through a robust application process after which successful applicants will receive some or all of the amount bid for.
Culture and Events Project Grants are for cultural organisations seeking a grant up to £10,000 to fund a cultural event or activity.
Funding is available for projects that meet our strategic priorities and help contribute to the Stronger Together vision:
- Increase participation in cultural activities, especially amongst those who are underrepresented in the cultural life of Stoke-on-Trent.
- Protect and improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. Evidence that cultural life makes a real impact on the health, wellbeing and aspirations of local people.
- Improve quality of life, independence and choice for vulnerable adults.
- Work with residents to make our towns and communities great places to live.
- Preserve and enhance the unique heritage of our city.
- Celebrate and promote our great city and increase the number of visitors.
If you have specific queries, not included in the guidance, please email: culturalgrants@stoke.gov.uk.
Culture and Events Project Grant - Eligibility
To be eligible for a Culture and Events Project Grant, organisations must:
- Be formally constituted in the UK and have their own bank account with at least two signatories (registered at different addresses)
- Be able to provide 2 years financial accounts
- State arts or culture as a main objective within their official governance document or have substantial experience of delivering arts or culture activity in the past 2 years
- Not already be in receipt of monies from the council for the provision of a service or project suggested in the bid, unless the proposal clearly evidences sustainability and increases outcomes for the residents of the city
- Have or be willing to have Public Liability Insurance in place up to a minimum value of £5million cover
- Be able to provide Safeguarding Policies if you intend working with potentially vulnerable residents, including children
- Be seeking funding from this grant programme of no more than £10,000
- Link to the council’s priorities in increasing participation in cultural activities for residents and helping to meet Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Stronger Together priorities
- Be able to deliver the activity or event by the end of March 2024
- Organisations applying should be based in North Staffordshire but activity must be delivered within Stoke-on-Trent
Grant payments will be made in instalments: an initial payment of 70% is payable at the project start date (subject to grant award conditions) and a final 30% is payable following delivery of the activity, and on receipt of all outstanding information including a satisfactory evaluation report demonstrating that the outputs and outcomes stipulated in the bid have been satisfactorily achieved.
Culture and Events Project Grants – What We Won’t Fund
- Projects which do not involve or engage Stoke-on-Trent residents and visitors as participants or audiences
- Projects which do not deliver against Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Stronger Together priorities
- Projects which have already happened or are going to happen before the decision date for the grant application, or projects which are due to finish after the closing date of the grant
- School or college courses or items already within the curriculum delivery.
- Prizes, competitions or fundraising events
- Projects without activity and outcomes that can be measured and evaluated
- Grants for property maintenance, office equipment, and operational services
Timeline – Key dates
- Application submitted by: Friday 12 May 2023
- Applications panel assessment: June 2023 (Exact date TBC)
- Applicant notification*: June 2023
- Project delivery phase: June 2023 to April 2024
- Deadline for project evaluation reports: To be agreed
*Subject to change depending on volume of applications and availability of panel. Applicants may be contacted for further information/clarification during the assessment period.
This guidance should be read alongside the relevant application form.
Read the full guidance document here
How to Apply
Click on the application form below...