Funding for the arts

Kent County Council and the Arts

We support the development of the arts through advice and enabling. By developing and maintaining productive networks and partnerships, we strengthen the Kent arts infrastructure and by challenging artists and arts organisations to create new work, encourage new audiences, increase quality, diversity and skills and lever new funding. Our aim is to enable arts activity to take place and to support artists to develop their creative practice, in order to grow the Kent economy and bring about positive change for residents and visitors in the county. We invest in the arts because we value its contribution to the wellbeing of the county, and recognise it as a valuable tool for the county’s work in economic and social regeneration, tourism, environmental protection, planning, health, community safety, skills development and education.

Arts Investment Fund

The Arts Investment Fund (AIF) is a key tool in enabling us to improve the quality of life for Kent communities and develop the reputation of the county as a world class cultural location. We are very pleased to have been in a position to be able to offer an AIF for 2013 - 2014.  Applications for this years funding closed on 31 January 2013.

We are commited to funding the arts because we recognise its value in contributing to the delivery of the strategic objectives of Kent County Council, in particular social and economic development. In the current financial climate, the amount of money we have available for distribution is very modest and we are not in a position to give large grants.

Additional Funding

For details of other funding opportunities, please click here

We seek to positively influence engagement with environmental challenges and encourage organisations to reduce negative impacts wherever possible. Here is some information to help with your organisation - Environment and Climate Change

We encourage all organisations to hold an Equality Policy and to deliver projects accordingly, to make a commitment to Equality and Diversity in their practice and ensure that their work is accessible and inclusive. You may also find the following website useful, interesting and we hope inspiring - Equality and diversity

Whilst all applications for funding must meet the appropriate criteria and are treated on their own merits, under the Equality Act Kent County Council has a duty to promote its services to under-represented social groups.  We are, therefore, keen to encourage applications from groups and individuals who represent any of the social groups, as defined under the Equality Act 2010, but who are currently under-represented and who experience discrimination or lack of opportunity. If your application will positively support and benefit an individual or group, as above, we encourage you to make an application

We are happy to support and advise organisations in these areas so please email us at arts@kent.gov.uk if you would like any assistance or if you have something you would like us to mention or include.