Author: Arts Council of Wales
Support with applications:
Creative Steps for Individuals aims to be as flexible as possible, and this funding aims to provide you with support every step of the way. We will offer guidance to help shape your ideas and your application to meet your needs. This will be provided by an Arts Council Wales Development Officer and your Creative Steps Mentor, if you choose to have one. Learn more here.
An Arts Council of Wales fund that was created for individuals and arts organisations who are more likely to have experienced barriers in accessing funding and opportunities, is re-opening in February 2025
Arts Council Wales recognised that more could be done to support artists and arts organisations from marginalised communities who were experiencing barriers and struggling to access funding. As a result of this, the Creative Steps programme was redesigned to provide bespoke support and funding to these communities.
Since its relaunch in 2021, Creative Steps has supported 26 arts organisations and 70 individuals across Wales. These organisations are all either Disabled-led organisations and/or Diverse-led Organisations.
Creative Steps is focused on supporting arts organisations and individuals who identify as being ethnically and culturally diverse, and Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent. The scheme is centred on supporting the professional and business development of these organisations and individuals.
Andrew Ogun, Agent for Change at Arts Council of Wales said:
“We want to reach and support ethnically and culturally diverse people and Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people, whether as artists, as staff within arts organisations, as organisations which primarily support underrepresented communities or in decision-making roles. Our research shows that our funding is failing to reach people from these backgrounds and lived experiences. Creative Steps aims to overcome some of the obstacles that people face, supporting them to develop themselves or their organisations further.
“It’s a fantastic way to connect the arts with more communities, with the people who need it the most – people that may have never had a relationship with the Arts Council before. We can support people to develop, not just financially, but also with guidance, mentorship and experience.”
The fund will re-open for applications on 7 February 2025 with applications for the first round closing on 12 March 2025 for organisations and 27 March 2025 for individuals.
Creative Steps for Individuals is open for applications of between £500 and £7,500.
Creative Steps for Organisations is open for applications at three funding levels:
Early-stage applications are between £500-£10,000
Second-stage applications are between £10,001-£50,000
Third-stage applications are between £50,001-£75,000
This has been made possible thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players for good causes.
For more information, and details on how to apply or to talk to us to see if the fund is for you, click here for Creative Steps for Individuals and here for Creative Steps for Organisations.