Cultural Development Fund opens for fourth round of applicants 

Cultural venues across England are set to benefit from a financial boost courtesy of the government’s Cultural Development Fund. 

Venues large and small are able to apply for the funding, with successful applicants receiving a share of £15.2m (€18m/$19m) as part of the fourth round of the scheme. The government hopes that the funding will create job opportunities and new training spaces while supporting local cultural institutions.

Since the scheme’s inception in 2019, some 20 projects have received a combined total of £76.8m, with arts centres, community venues and heritage buildings among the beneficiaries.

This will also be the first year that projects within London can apply for the funding.

“I’ve been pleased to see how Government investment through the Cultural Development Fund is already making a real difference to people’s lives,” said Arts and Heritage Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay. “The further funding announced today will extend our work to level up access to arts and culture, ensuring that everyone has high-quality opportunities on their doorstep, no matter where they live.

“I encourage applicants to put forward ambitious proposals which will make a real difference to the lives of even more people across the country, and help to preserve the UK’s position on the world stage as a cultural and creative powerhouse.”

Previous beneficiaries have included Plymouth City Council, the University of Kent, Barnsley Museums, Middlesbrough Council Cultural Services, Morecambe Winter Gardens and North Devon Council.

Arts Council England (ACE) delivers the fund on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

“The Cultural Development Fund brings the transformative power of creativity and culture to more people in more places, across the country,” added Darren Henley, chief executive of ACE.

“By investing in the infrastructure that cultural organisations need, we can help them make an even bigger impact on the places where they’re based, benefiting the communities they work with. We’re pleased to continue delivering it on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, building on the successes of the programme so far.”