view of beach with crowd and upturned boat in foreground
Story Boat at Beer Jubilee © Emma Molony

Arts and Culture East Devon (ACED) are to launch a 'Creative East Devon Fund'. 

East Devon culture organisations and creatives struggling to fund a cultural project, festival or event may find help through a new fund from ACED.

The Creative East Devon Fund will provide discretionary financial support to local art & culture initiatives and projects that can demonstrate a commitment to developing the East Devon Cultural Strategy.  The scheme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The total funding available will be £25,000. The maximum grant amount will be £3,000 and the minimum amount is £500. The project must have finished and the funds all be spent by March 2024. There are plans for a second round of funding to be available in the next financial year for longer term projects due to be completed by March 2025.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council (EDDC), commented:
"We’re delighted to be offering this new grant scheme promoting everyday creativity, bringing people together and improving happiness, health and wellbeing through art and culture. I’m really looking forward to receiving a variety of creative project proposals and would encourage anyone with an innovative idea to get in touch with our Cultural Producer at aced@eastdevon.gov.uk for an informal conversation before applying."

Sarah Elghady, EDDC Cultural Producer, commented,

"We really welcome a wide range of applications. The projects can be across any art form (music, dance, theatre, heritage, craft, digital and visual arts, as well as literature) and we are particularly interested in projects which are looking to: 

  • Tackle environmental, economic, social and cultural issues
  • Improve access, restore or enhance cultural facilities or creative networks
  • Develop initiatives to specifically improve the cultural offer for young adults (18-30 years) in East Devon
  • Utilise empty or underused spaces for creative activities"

Councillor Nick Hookway, Porfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Sport said,

"The Creative East Devon Fund is a new initiative which is being introduced as part of the East Devon Cultural Strategy. I know that many culture organisations have great ideas that they would love to develop but are hampered by a lack of funding.

This fund will now allow new creative initiatives, ideas and projects to be brought to fruition. East Devon is a seed bed of creative ideas which needs the moisture of financial support! Funded projects will not only enrich the cultural lives of residents but also attract visitors to the area."

The fund will be open to applications from Monday 2 October and close on Wednesday 15 November. Applicants are encouraged to read the FAQs to help them before applying.