Arts and culture match funding grant now open

Hastings Borough Council is pleased to announce that the Arts & Cultural Development Match Funding Grant is now open for applications.

The grant supports individuals and organisations working in the creative sector who want to apply to other funding bodies outside of Hastings. These include the Arts Council England and National Lottery funds, as well as trusts, foundations and other funding bodies not based in Hastings. The grant aims to bring inward investment to the town that would be lost without match funding.

Since 2020 the Arts & Cultural Development Match Funding Grant has supported more than 20 projects and helped secure more than £400,000 of funding for Hastings-based organisations and creatives.

Cllr Andy Batsford (Lab), lead councillor for health and culture, said: "We have a thriving arts and culture sector in Hastings, and we know how vital this grant funding is in helping individuals and groups within the sector. For every £1 of grant from Hastings Borough Council, £32.49 was leveraged into the borough from external funders during 2021-22.

"Since 2020, the funding has helped support almost 100 new products or commissions, a year worth of performance or exhibition days and reached an audience of more than 125,000 online or in person.

"If you or your group are looking for match funding to support a grant application to a fund, I would encourage you to apply."

This is a rolling programme from April-March. Applications are assessed and awarded on a 'first come, first served' basis. There is a limited amount available over the course of the year. Applicants should be aware that the programme may run out of funds before the end of the financial year.

Editor's Notes:
Hastings Borough Council - Arts & Culture
Hastings is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene. We have some great galleries, museums and theatres as well as a packed calendar of festivals and events throughout the year. Hastings Borough Council supports arts, culture and heritage across the town in a number of ways. Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is a council-operated, free cultural resource for residents and visitors. We contract the management of the White Rock Theatre, provide funding and support for Hastings Contemporary, and many of the festivals in the town including the St Leonards Festival. We also offer funding to local creatives and organisations through the Arts & Cultural Development Match Funding Grant, the Foreshore Charitable Trust Grants Programme and East Sussex Arts Partnership. Our Culture Team also provides advice and guidance to artists and arts organisations, including support with funding applications.

Arts & Cultural Development Match Funding Grant - in figures
For every £1 of HBC grant given £32.49 was leveraged into the borough from external funders during 2021-22, an increase from £1:£28 in 2020-21.
Since March 2020 the funding has supported:

• 97 new products or commissions
• 684 days of employment for artists and creatives, or specialists
• 364 performance or exhibition days
• 162 sessions for education, training or participation
• 184 artists and creatives, or specialists employed
• 2699 people taking part
• 30645 live audiences
• 96233 online audiences