Since 1997 we have distributed over £130 million of National Lottery funding towards capital projects across Wales. There can be no doubt that this funding has transformed the arts infrastructure of Wales, benefitting creative professionals, arts organisations and those who attend and participate in the arts alike.
Our ambition for our Capital Programme is to continue to bring significant benefits to the arts in Wales through capital investment. We will do this by ensuring that arts organisations in Wales have fit for purpose buildings and equipment that enables them to fulfil their potential and increase their resilience. We will give particular priority to organisations that make up our Arts Portfolio Wales.
The majority of our capital budget has now been allocated and we are no longer able to accept applications for funding towards new major capital projects. This includes applications towards public art initiatives.
If you already have a project that we have been developing with you, please see the relevant guidelines below to navigate your way through our three stage application process.
Funding for small projects
A small pot of capital funding is available to organisations to apply for a contribution towards minor capital projects and feasibility studies. To maximise the benefit of this funding, priority will be given to the following type of projects.
• Feasibility studies. We are keen for organisations that have a capital project idea to be able to investigate the viability of their ideas further. To help this we might be able to assist you with up to 75% funding for feasibility studies. Please read our guidance below, the Lottery Capital Programme Help Notes in particular outlines what we look for in an application for feasibility studies. You will see our three stage application process referred to across our guidelines, but this is for projects that we have been working with from the start of the 2012 Capital Strategy
At present we don’t have additional funding to progress past feasibility stage and our focus is to provide organisations with a report and strategy that could assist with applications to other funding bodies, or for a time when we might be in a position to offer more substantial capital funding.
• Minor grants towards improving facilities and purchasing equipment. Whilst we would consider all types of application discussed in our guidance and help notes, we would be particularly interested in projects that will specifically enhance the accessibility of your work or have a positive impact on reducing carbon footprint and improving environmental sustainability.
There is no set deadline for applications, but you must contact the capital team first with a description of your project, to discuss how the project meets our priorities and to discuss an application deadline. We would expect most projects to request up to a maximum of £30k.
If you are thinking about applying for capital funding you should get in touch with us before submitting an application.
You can email us at capital@arts.wales for more information or to start a conversation about a project.