A number of Arts Council funding schemes are currently open for submission:

Arts Grant Funding

Arts Grant Funding from The Arts Council supports individual artists and organisations across multiple artforms to carry out multiple activities over a fixed period. 

It focuses on ensuring there is a breadth of high-quality arts activity and programmes throughout the country. 

Closing date is 19th March 2026.

Full details here.

Artist and Youth Work Residency Scheme

The Artist and Youth Work Residency scheme is designed to promote innovative partnerships between youth groups, artists and (where relevant) arts organisations, and support young people’s access to quality youth arts experiences in youth work settings.

Closing date is 20th March 2026.

Full details here.

Artist in the Community Scheme 

Round 1

The Artist in the Community Scheme supports artists and communities of place and/or interest to work together on arts projects across a diverse range of social and community contexts. 

Closing date is 30th March 2026.

Full details here.

Children and Young People’s Arts Residency

Children and Young People’s Arts Residencies support artists or arts organisations to spend an academic year in residence in a higher education institution that provides qualifications in initial teacher education or early childhood education and care. 

The residencies are open to all artform and arts practice areas. 

Closing date is 2nd April 2026.

Full details here.

Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme

The Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme supports individual artists and organisations to partner with eligible services to develop opportunities for babies and young children to explore and enjoy the arts. 

It focuses on collaboration between artists, early-years educators, school-age practitioners, families and carers to develop their capacity in this area. 

Closing date is 2nd April 2026.

Full details here.

Artist in the Community Scheme – Catalyst Residency

The Residency Award is offered as part of the Artist in the Community Scheme managed by Create, in partnership with Fire Station Artists’ Studios (FSAS).

This residency will provide opportunities for development, exchange networking and learning. The successful applicant will be supported by Create and its partners to explore areas of their practice in an environment of rigorous discussion and critical feedback.

This award is ring fenced for an artist from a minoritised ethnic background who has a track record of collaborative socially engaged practice.

Closing date is 7th April 2026.

Full details here.

Agility Award 

The Agility Award supports individual professional artists and arts practitioners who have not been funded as an individual by the Arts Council since 01 January 2016.

It focuses on enabling artists to develop their practice, develop their work and develop their skills.

Closing date is 23rd April 2026.

Full details here.

Artist in the Community Scheme – Mentoring Award

The Mentoring Award is offered as part of the Artist in the Community Scheme managed by Create. The Mentoring Award is aimed at artists who are emerging or who are transitioning into collaborative, socially engaged arts. 

The Award will support five successful applicants to build capacity and develop their collaborative, socially engaged arts practice through a mentorship programme that will take place over an eight-month period.

Each successful artist will be paired with an experienced collaborative, socially engaged artist mentor selected from the Artist Mentor Panel.

Closing date is 27th April 2026.

Full details here.