Arts Council reopens rolling funding programme after Covid-19 suspension

Arts Council England is reopening its National Lottery Project Grants funding programme, which is currently suspended due to Covid-19.

The programme will reopen on July 22 with a budget of £59.8 million available until April 2021.


National Lottery Project Grants can be used directly for creating or delivering cultural activity, as well as for research and development.

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, and to release funds for the Arts Council’s £160 million Emergency Response Package, the National Lottery Project Grants was one of several funding programmes to be suspended.

Some changes have been made to the programme to make it more accessible to smaller organisations and individual practitioners, including the removal of a 10% match-funding condition.

The Arts Council is aiming for individuals to receive at least half the grants, while other programmes to support individual artists are unavailable.

ACE chief executive Darren Henley said: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen how much of a positive difference creative people and organisations make to communities across England. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’ve been able to support our nation’s creativity over the past few months through our Emergency Response Funds.

“Now, we’re turning our attention to rebuilding cultural and artistic life in our villages, towns and cities through this £59.8 million National Lottery Project Grants investment in artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries.”