Arts and culture funding

Information about arts and culture funding and how to apply.

COVID-19 business support

Visit our COVID-19 information for businesses page for advice and support. 

This is to help organisations, sole traders and freelancers.

COVID-19 event planning support

For information on how to apply for Site Permissions to hold an event in Bristol please visit EventApp Bristol City Council.  

For information on making your events and activities COVID secure, visit our Advice for supporting outdoor events.

General arts funding

Types of funding: 2018 to 2022

There are 3 funds available through our 2018 to 2022 Cultural Investment Programme:

• Originators
• Imagination
• Openness

Find out more about all the funds in the Cultural Investment Programme Prospectus (pdf, 425KB) (opens new window) .

Originators

The Originators Fund 2021-22 is now open.

Applications can be for £500 to £5000 for events, arts and cultural activities taking place between June 2021 and May 2022.

Deadline for applications: midnight on Monday 8 March 2021.

How to apply

The Originators Fund application process has been reviewed with an external focus group.

This has resulted in new guidance and a new application form that you must use.  

• New Originators fund guidance document (pdf, 1.5MB) (opens new window)
• New Originators fund application form (pdf, 616KB) (opens new window)  

Email your completed application form to: cityartsfunds@bristol.gov.uk

New: Originators online support sessions 

We’re running a series of information sessions through February where you can learn more about the fund, talk about your project or idea, network and talk to our team.

2pm to 4pm, Tuesday 2 February 2021: Information event 

This session has two parts split over the afternoon.

• 2pm to 3pm: Presentation on the fund, case studies from previous successful applicants and questions and answers session.
• 3pm to 4pm: Chance to book a 15 minutes slot with one of the Arts and Events team to talk about your ideas or project proposal

Book online at Eventbrite: Originators fund 2 February information event 

10am to 12pm, Tuesday 9 February 2021:  Originator networking session 

How can we make Arts and Culture accessible for all? A facilitated, interactive session where you can share project ideas and connect with potential partners

Book online at Eventbrite: Originators fund 9 February networking session

5pm to 6pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm Thursday 11 February: Talk to the team

Book a 15 minute session with a member of the Arts and Events team to talk about your ideas/project proposal.

5pm to 6pm slots: Book online at Eventbrite: Originators fund 5pm to 6pm, 11 February talk the team

6.30pm to 7.30pm slots: Book online at Eventbrite: Originators fund 6.30pm to 7.30pm, 11 February talk the team

Application support 

If you've any challenges to applying to the fund or attending these events, or specific access requirements get in touch with the us:

• email: cityartsfunds@bristol.gov.uk
• call: Arts and Events team on 0117 922 2716

Updates for 2020 funding

Originators 20/21 was delayed in March 2020 due to COVID-19. The funding has now been released: January 2021.  

Applicants selected for funding have been notified, and have an extended deadline of March 2022 for project delivery.

Find out about the projects previously supported with Originators funding.

• Artists and Organisations receiving Originators funding (delayed), 2020 to 2021 (pdf, 205KB) (opens new window)
• Artists and Organisations that had Originators funding, 2019 to 2020 (pdf, 205KB) (opens new window) (pdf, 205KB) (opens new window)
• Artists and Organisations that had Originators funding, 2018 to 2019 (pdf, 241KB) (opens new window)

Imagination

Find out about the 12 current and 15 previously funded projects being supported with Imagination funding.

• Organisations with Imagination funding, 2020 to 2022 (pdf, 195KB) (opens new window)
• Organisations that had Imagination funding, 2018 to 2020 (pdf, 200KB) (opens new window)

Openness 

Find out about the 17 organisations being supported with Openness funding. 

• Organisations with Openness funding, 2018 to 2022 (pdf, 100KB) (opens new window)

Contact us

Email: cityartsfunds@bristol.gov.uk

Twitter: @Brisarts_events

Join our mailing list 

Sign up to our Bristol Arts and Events mailing list.

This way we can send you monthly updates about: 

• arts and events
• opportunities
• funding