Single Project Fund

Single Project Fund 2009/10

Please note: the Single Project Fund 2009/10 is now closed for applications.

Please see Single Project Fund Projects 2010 for a full list ot the projects that received funding in the 2009/10 round.

We are expecting to re-open the fund for new applications in the summer of 2010: please check this website for details or ask to be added to the mailing list.

Introduction

Now in it’s second year, the Arts Festivals and Events Single Project Fund (SPF) will once again be welcoming applications for high-quality, innovative arts projects.  The funds will be made available through an open application process that will be based on clear principles and firm criteria for investment. The application process is open to individual, groups and organisations (please see “Eligibility” section below for further details). The amount of funding available this year is £80,000.

This fund will enable a varied programme of projects and events throughout the year that may not have been previously possible.  Applicants can apply for between £2,000 and £8,000 for their project . We will be looking for a variety of high-quality projects that offer maximum value for money. The funding will be for a single year and the project has to be delivered between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010.

Applications open on Monday 7th September 2009, and must be submitted by 4pm on Friday 30th October 2009. Applications received after this time and date will not be accepted.  

The application pack is available to download here (at the bottom of this page), or e-mail arts.events@bristol.gov.uk to request an application pack via e-mail. We do not supply printed application packs. Please note that we cannot accept hand written forms – please make sure they are typed.

Our Aspirations

It is our wish that this funding will:

• Facilitate new, contemporary projects that will be delivered in Bristol.
• Enhance the year round programme of arts and cultural activity.
• Encourage good practice in supporting and developing creativity.
• Encourage risk taking and innovation in the arts.
• Support excellence, develop new audiences encouraging participation in arts/culture.
• Encourage and enable new and exciting artistic collaboration.
• Support diverse work that represents 21st Century Britain.

 Theme

Each year, half of the funding pot (£40,000) is allocated to projects that reflect a certain theme. As last year, this year’s theme is

“Intercultural Arts”

You will be asked in the application form if you wish to be considered for “theme funding” and demonstrate that your project adequately reflects the theme.  Please note that the panel may decide that your project does not adequately reflect the theme, but that the project should receive funding, in which case you may still be awarded funding from the non-allocated portion of the pot.

[back to top]

Eligibility and Essential Criteria

Eligibility

In order to qualify for funding all applications to the single project fund must meet all of the following criteria before the panel will consider them:
 

• The project must be arts-based and focused
• You or your organisation must be Bristol-based or working in full partnership with a Bristol-based organisation.  We will accept applications from non-Bristol arts companies in exceptional circumstances, but the project delivery must be in partnership with Bristol based artists or arts organisations, and also be of benefit to Bristol audiences and residents.
• The funding is for the delivery of a specific project. It is not for core costs or research and development.
• You must have a bank account that requires at least two people who are unrelated to sign each cheque or make a withdrawal.  If you do not have such an account, you must establish a formal link with an organisation that does have such an account and who will hold your funding for you in their account.
• You or your link organisation must have (and provide us with a copy of) a governing document, e.g. Memorandum of Association. 

We are anticipating many more applications than we will be able to fund, so priority may be given to:

• Organisations or individuals not already in receipt of funding from Bristol City Council.
• Projects that do not charge entry /sell tickets.
• Projects that take place in areas or spaces that have little or no art/cultural activity.
• Projects that take place in the public realm.

Essential criteria

Please note that, due to the volume of applications we receive, we will not be able to consider any applications that do not meet the essential criteria set out below.

The proposed project must:

• Be arts-based and focussed
• Produce new art projects or work.
• Take place in Bristol between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010.
• Be accessible to the general public and not restricted to closed groups or membership organisations.
• Support and develop artist work and evidence aspiration to quality production values.
• Demonstrate a sound marketing and promotion strategy.
• Be in receipt of partnership, match funding, and/or in-kind support of at least 25% of the whole budget.

The fund will not:

• Be the organisation or group’s sole source of funding for the project.
• Support annual festivals, events, or ongoing projects (although you can apply for funding in order to introduce a new element to an annual festival or ongoing project).
• Fund research and development activities.
• Fund the core activities of the organisation, including management and administration, ongoing arts/workshop projects, touring work.
• Support profit-making activities for the organisation.
• Support national promoters / commercial events and trade fairs
• Support projects that aim to raise money for charity.
• Support projects that aim to promote religious/political beliefs/interests of an individual or organisation.
• Fund projects retrospectively.
• Support individuals or organisations that have failed to acknowledge Bristol City Council support/logo in previous funding rounds.
•  

[back to top]

Assessment and possible outcomes

Assessment

1. Initial Assessment

When your application is received, it will go through an initial assessment process to ensure that all of the applications considered by the panel meet the essential criteria. Those who do not meet the essential criteria will not be put forward for consideration by the panel. 

2. Assessment

a) Individual assessment: Each panel member will assess each application and complete their own marking sheet, which is broken down into three main sections: 1. Background Information & Baseline Standards (a double-check that the project satisfies the criteria), 2) Project Information and 3) Financial Information.  Panel members are encouraged to make notes, including listing why they would or would not support the project’s application for funding.

b) Panel Assessment: Once each panel member has read all of the applications, they discuss each application as a panel.  Using their individual marking sheets, the group compare their scores and notes.  They complete a very similar assessment form, agreeing the final scores for each application as a group.

c) Final decisions: Once all of the applications have been discussed and scored by the panel, they are listed in order of their score.  These scores inform the panel’s final decisions on which projects should receive funding, and how much.

Please note that the panel’s decision will be final, and there will NOT be appeals process after the decisions have been announced

Feedback
 

We believe that good feedback is important to anyone who applies for funding, whether or not they are successful.  We will therefore be offering verbal feedback (via telephone) to any applicant who requests it after they receive their formal response letter.
 

Possible outcomes

1. Your application is unsuccessful and you receive no SPF investment.
2. Your application is successful but you receive less than you requested in your application. Please note that in this instance, your project can be modified, subject to BCC approval.
3. Your application is successful and you receive the full amount requested in your application.
 

Payment

If successful, your project will receive funding in three payments, and are subject to the terms and conditions of the contract you will be asked to sign:

Payment 1:  25% on receipt of the signed contract.
Payment 2:  50% on successful delivery of the project.
Payment 3:  25% on receipt of your project evaluation.

Please note: You must use the funding for the purpose for which it is intended.  Bristol City Council reserves the right to seek reimbursement from you for any funds that have not been used for this purpose.

[back to top]