People involved in the world-renowned arts, culture, heritage, festivals and events scene of Westmorland and Furness are being urged to apply for two major grant funds worth a total of just over £260,000.
Applicants have until Monday 2 June 2025 to apply to the £175,276 Thrive with Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund and the £85,000 Festivals and Events Fund. The two schemes have been relaunched by Westmorland and Furness Council after they ran so successfully last year.
The variety of projects and events which benefited in 2024 includes:
• new AV system and pop-up bar to support live theatre and music at St Mary’s Church, Kirkby Lonsdale, plus electrics upgrade at outdoor venue The Glebe
• purchase of a concert-standard grand piano, refit of performance hall and café bar at Barrow’s North West Music Academy
• refurbishment of century-old Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall in rural Eden for future events
• new brass for Askam-in-Furness Town Band
• Family Jam relaxed performances and music workshops for babies and young children by BlueJam Arts, Penrith
• purchase of new equipment and infrastructure for Barrow BID events
• festivals including Kendal Torchlight Carnival, Retro Rendezvous cycling in Ulverston, bushcraft, karaoke and inter-generational computer gaming.
This year’s total funding of £260,276 has been allocated to the council by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Having spread the word far and wide through arts and culture networks, the council now hopes to attract any further applicants who may not yet have heard about this year’s grants.
Potential applicants are encouraged to find out more by visiting the UKSPF page on the council’s website where they can check if they are eligible to apply, read the guidance and download an application form – to be completed and returned by Monday 2 June.
For any questions, please email artsandculture@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Key features of each scheme at a glance:
Thrive with Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund – total £175,276
• Grants of £10,000 - £35,000
• Who can apply - not-for-profit arts, culture and heritage organisations and charities
• Purpose - to support projects that actively contribute to the diverse heritage and culture offer in communities and a better quality of life across Westmorland and Furness.
Festivals and Events Fund – total £85,000
• Grants of £1,000 - £10,000
• Who can apply - organisations and groups such as voluntary and community-led businesses, town and parish councils, social enterprises and charities
• Purpose – to help deliver better and more sustainable events and festivals; promote community, place and environment; and support projects that align with the Council Plan.
Both schemes enable applicants to seek funding for ongoing costs (revenue) and physical assets (capital).
Councillor Virginia Taylor, the council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Community Wellbeing, said: “I would encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for these grants. Westmorland and Furness has a unique heritage and is home to nationally and internationally important arts and culture organisations. We host events and festivals which amaze and delight people, attract millions of visitors from around the world and support many thousands of jobs.
“These grants will offer Westmorland and Furness’s fantastic resident organisations support to deliver projects which benefit our communities and support the economy - aligning with our vision of making Westmorland and Furness a great place to live, work and thrive.”