Aberdeen has a unique culture, where traditions of the north-east flourish alongside contemporary creative activity. Aberdeen City Council recognises the intrinsic value of the arts as well as the benefits a strong cultural sector brings by improving the wellbeing of citizens, attracting tourism, and encouraging new businesses to trade in the city.
Creative Funding Information Session
Join us online on Thursday 13th June 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm for an insightful webinar that will demystify the application process regarding the 2024/25 Creative Funding programme. Register your place online.
Or, attend the in-person event on Thursday 27th June 2024 from 12noon to 1pm at Aberdeen Art Gallery, Seminar Room. Register your place online.
Creative Funding awards 2024-25
The Creative Funding programme offers cultural organisations with not for profit status, community groups, charities and individual artists or creatives the opportunity to apply for support to develop and/or deliver creative activity.
This funding has previously been awarded to festivals, community groups, brand new arts organisations and has supported projects from emerging individual artists through to established organisations.
A range of projects can be considered for funding, such as performances, exhibitions, networking events or even something completely new and innovative; there are very few limitations on the type of creative project that can be supported.
Applications are welcome from organisations who can make a significant difference, by increasing opportunities and access, to activities that reflect the cultural diversity of Aberdeen. This includes activities by, with, or for those with protected characteristics, people who are marginalised, those living with disadvantage or from a lower social economic group.
Organisations with not for profit status can apply for awards of up to £8,000.
You may apply for up to 75% of the total cost of your proposed activity. The remaining 25% must be cash funding from a source external to the Council. (Please do not include in-kind support within your budget as match funding). Examples of cash funding include projected ticket sales, organisational funds or a grant from another funding body.
Pilot Seed Funding - Applications will be considered from organisations whose proposed activity will be with, or for underrepresented groups or individuals in Aberdeen and have never received Creative Funding previously or in the last 5 years. For example, since 2019/20. They can apply for £2,500, no match funding is required. Please download the guidelines for further information.
Individuals who are Aberdeen City residents can apply for awards of up to £2,500. There are up to 8 awards allocated annually. Proposals should demonstrate a high quality cultural and creative activity within Aberdeen. Proposals should demonstrate a high quality cultural and creative activity within Aberdeen. Please note there should be a clear public outcome and output which is to the benefit of residents in the City of your proposal.
Previous Funding Awards
In 2023-24 Doric Books received funding and promoted the Doric language and culture by working with three primary schools in Aberdeen to illustrate and write two books. They were delighted with the opportunity this award brought, which without funding, would not have been possible otherwise.
Individual producer Hanna Louise utilised the funding to collaborate with artists to create safe spaces for those in mental health recovery to explore their create side. "Mental health recovery is something I am so passionate about but don't get to engage with professionally very often, so being awarded the funding to pursue this project means a lot to me both professionally and personally."
How to apply
Please download the application guidelines and the application form below. Please email creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk to arrange an advice session to support you with your application.
Please read the guidelines and general advice before completing your application form.
If you require further support or translation of a document into Gaelic or another language or if you require BSL support. Please contact creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk. A translation would take 5 working days.
Application deadline
Creative Funding Applications close on Monday 29th July 2024 at noon.
Reporting documents
Creative Funding Advice Sessions
We offer advice sessions to give applicants an opportunity to discuss their individual application with a member of the team. Please contact creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Call out for Creative Funding Panel Members
All Creative Funding applications are reviewed by an independent panel consisting of cultural sector professionals and/or individual artists. We are currently looking for independent freelance individual Panel members to review applications to assist the Creative Funding Panels below. For further information, please contact creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk
- Panel 1 - Tuesday 6th August 1:30-4pm
- Panel 2 - Thursday 8th August 1:30-4pm
- Panel 3 - Monday 12th August 1:30-4pm
- Panel 4 - Wednesday 14th August 1:30-4pm
- Panel 5 - Thursday 15th August 1:30-4pm
Culture Aberdeen
Aberdeen City Council is a partner in Culture Aberdeen and endorses the Culture Aberdeen 10 year strategy for culture. This strategy was developed by the Culture Aberdeen network, made up of organisations who deliver and facilitate cultural activity in the city and Creative Funding is part of Aberdeen City Council’s commitment to delivering on the aims and ambitions of the strategy.
Culture Aberdeen: cultural strategy 2018-2028 | Aberdeen City Council
As the strategy is intended to shape the development of Aberdeen’s cultural offering, it is expected that projects funded through Creative Funding will contribute towards the Ambitions listed in some way.
Applicants should consider this when developing their proposals and look at how they are best placed to use their skills, expertise and creativity to deliver these aims for Aberdeen.
Branding
A condition of awards is the proposer accreditation of support in all marketing and communications as appropriate. Please download a copy of our brand guidelines and crest below.
If you require a white ACC logo or eps file, please contact us at creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Contact details
Creative Funding
creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk