Practical: Guide to Applying for Arts Council England Grants

Doors at 7pm | Talk begins 7:30pm

In the years 2023/24 to 2025/6, The Arts Council invested £116.8 million per year through National Lottery Project Grants and £14.4 million per year through Developing Your Creative Practice

The National Lottery Project Grant is Arts Council England’s funding programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. It supports individuals and organisations delivering a broad range of high quality creative and cultural projects that benefit people living in England. You can apply for £1,000-£30,000 or £30,000- £100,000. We aim to broadly reflect the diversity of England through the grants we make.

Developing your Creative Practice is Arts Council England’s funding programme for individuals. It encourages development by allowing you to learn, innovate and take creative risks. It’s all about you and making a meaningful shift in your practice that leads to future opportunities. You can apply for £2,000-£12,000. The next round opens on 4 June 2026 (midday) with a deadline of 2 July 2026 (midday).

The Arts Council will be at Sarabande to discuss the fund, exploring both successful and unsuccessful applications to give top tips on how to apply for these amazing grants.

Sarabande Foundation

Sarabande was set up by the late designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, who left the majority of his estate to support creative and visionary talent. In addition to providing scholarships and studio space for artists, Sarabande produces a number of events, from the practical to the inspirational.

Sarabande operates from a listed Stable Block conversion in Haggerston and two Grade II listed townhouses in Tottenham, where 30 studios form a creative community with designers and artists from multiple disciplines. Immersed in the hub of East London’s rich creative spirit, Sarabande exudes all that encompasses the creative sphere. The building is home to a plethora of artisans reflecting the multifarious span of Lee’s talent and the variety of craftspeople he worked with his own collections. Amongst others, our tactile artists include sculptors, fashion designers, jewellers, textile designers, painters, performance artists, silversmiths, costume designers, ceramicists, and dancers. Alongside these, Sarabande also houses filmmakers, animators, photographers, digital designers, and visual artists.

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