A new grant funding scheme has been launched by East Suffolk Council as part of efforts to increase cultural engagement and boost growth in the creative sector.
The Arts Core Fund will provide vital core funding to established, registered charities and registered not-for-profit cultural organisations for 2026-2027.
Unlike traditional project-based grants, the new fund targets foundational operational costs – providing crucial security for organisations to continue making a positive economic and social impact in East Suffolk.
With more than 400 creative businesses in the district, the cultural sector forms a significant part of the visitor economy. In 2024 alone, 2.61million visits to East Suffolk were attributable to culture.
More than 2,000 related jobs are supported by the industry, which brings in £43m to the local economy every year.
However, many established organisations face a constant challenge of meeting core costs – impeding the potential for expansion and wider socio-economic benefits.
The new targeted investment fund aims to broaden the impact of key cultural hubs, directly benefiting the wider creative network and tackling local inequalities, in alignment with the Council’s Our Direction 2028 strategic vision and East Suffolk’s Cultural Strategy.
Cabinet member for Communities, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Sarah Whitelock said:
“By investing directly in core operations, we are securing a robust creative sector that enriches the lives of all our residents and visitors.
“We want this fund to provide added security for organisations to make an even deeper impact by widening access to the arts, developing skills and improving community wellbeing through inclusive participation.
“It should give greater flexibility to focus on their charitable objectives, plan ahead and secure secondary project grants.”
Voluntary sector, not-for-profit registered arts organisations can apply for grants ranging from £10,000 to a maximum of £30,000.
Registered charities and not-for-profit arts organisations whose primary mission is to deliver creative activities, such as visual arts, music, dance or theatre for the East Suffolk public are invited to apply.
Full eligibility criteria and application details are available on the East Suffolk Council website. The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 13 July.