This page is in the Opportunities Section
Funding: The Lottery
There are a number of different Lottery programmes that support the arts throughout the UK. These programmes vary considerably in scope, application process and criteria depending on the country concerned, so it is always best to contact the relevant Arts Council in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for fully up-to-date information.
A brief overview of the different programmes follows. For contact details for the various Arts Councils and their regional offices click through to the funding contacts page.
England
There are two main Lottery programmes run by the and its regional offices that groups in England can apply to. These are the Awards for All programme for grants of between £500 and £10,000, and the The Heritage Lottery Fund which supports arts projects that increase access to, understanding of, or participation in heritage. Larger sums are available through RALP depending on the scope of the project proposed.
Groups wishing to work with young people may also like to contact the National Foundation for Youth Music or Youth Music as it is more informally known. Youth Music has several different programmes and projects designed to give young people access to music making at all levels.
Other Lottery distributors that may be applicable to certain arts-based projects include the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and the Big Lottery Fund, although their funding criteria may be difficult for voluntary groups to meet.
Wales
For smaller organisations the level of grant support provided through Arts Council Wales (ACW) is normally between £250 and £5,000. This level of grant is to support organisations planning and running small scale projects, pilot projects or projects that have significant levels of funding from other sources. All applications must be for work that reflects ACW's funding priorities, which are around participation, arts and young people, production/programme support, audience development/marketing, sustainability, and training & professional development. Visit the ACW site for more info and to apply.
Scotland
The Scottish Arts Council distributes Lottery money for music projects through four main programmes:
- Concert and festival promotion
- Education and Outreach projects
- Creative Development/ Recording
- Commissioning new music
Northern Ireland
Arts Council Northern Ireland distributes lottery money through the Awards for All programme, for projects requiring between £500 and £10,000. Visit the Awards for All website for more information.
| Arts Websites: |
The Arts Council of England www.artscouncil.org.uk |
Arts Wales www.artswales.org.uk Celfyddydau Cymru www.celfcymru.org.uk |
The Scottish Arts Council www.scottisharts.org.uk |
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland www.artscouncil-ni.org |
Content last updated:
18 March 2010
