Performing Arts Grant Fund – opening 28 July 2025*
*Please note this date is provisional and subject to change.
The scheme aims to support community and voluntary sector performing arts groups within the district. This scheme is designed to enhance the cultural landscape by providing financial assistance to projects that demonstrate a significant community impact, meet identified needs, and ensure broad reach, engagement, and access to the performing arts in South Oxfordshire.
The deadline for applications is midday Friday 5 September 2025. Applications will be assessed and awarded after 22 September 2025 and applicants notified after 6 October 2025.
How much is available and what for?
There is a fund of £60,000 available for 2025/26. Community and voluntary sector performing arts groups are invited to apply for grants from a minimum of £500 up to a maximum of £5,000 per application. We are happy to receive multiple applications from the same organisation, but benefits must be for a different group/audience. Your project must be completed within 12 months of the award decision.
Funding will be awarded to projects that align with the following community values and priorities, fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable performing arts scheme in South Oxfordshire:
- Increase the range of arts opportunities available to local communities.
- Support inclusive practice and celebrate diversity.
- Develop local artistic talent.
- Promote innovation and excellence.
- Develop new audiences and participants in performing arts initiatives.
Projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to the community in South Oxfordshire and help us to deliver our arts objectives and priorities, these could include but not limited to:
- introducing new or improving performing arts projects and opportunities
- introducing an established activity or performing arts opportunity at a new location
- funding to hire professional arts companies to deliver workshops
- performances, partnership projects or cultural diversity programmes
Please read our Funding Guidelines below for further examples of the projects we can fund.
We encourage all applicants to make their projects inclusive and accessible to all.
We also recommend applicants to consider the climate and ecological implications of their project. This may include the use of sustainable materials or other climate-friendly options to reduce energy use where appropriate.
Who can apply?
Projects should provide benefit to more than one individual engaged in the performing arts (namely, theatre, music and dance), to groups of residents in South Oxfordshire.
The scheme is open to the following organisations:
- Not-for-profit, arts or community groups, voluntary, third sector or community sector, any of whom must have a constitution and committee structure
- Town/parish councils and parish meetings
- Not-for-profit preschools, PTAs and local authority-run schools or Academies (for non-statutory elements of the education programme not funded through school budgets and are out-of-hours provision)
Who can’t apply?
- Other local authorities/public sector bodies
- Individuals who are the supplier of the service (artists and performers)
- Groups raising funds on behalf of or improving/creating facilities that will primarily benefit an ineligible organisation
- Profit-based businesses (private businesses)
- Political and lobbying groups
- Nationwide organisations (except with a local constitution and/or local bank account, or projects clearly related to a local hub/branch)
Equalities
The council is committed to promoting equality and diversity and welcomes applications from organisations representing minority or vulnerable groups.
Previous projects supported
For ideas of what previous grants have funded, please refer to the list of grants below:-
Get in touch
For more information about the scheme and advice on potential projects, and other possible funding sources, please email the community arts team at performingartsgrants@southandvale.gov.uk
Contact us - Community grants
01235 422405
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
South Oxfordshire District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
