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Funding for arts projects

Browse through this guide to find out about the types of funding available for arts projects.

We are working closely with central government and the health service to support our organisations and residents across the city during coronavirus. Visit our COVID-19 support for the creative and cultural sectors page to find out how we are providing support across Westminster during this time.

If your Arts and cultural organisation projects benefit Westminster communities, you may be eligible for neighbourhood funding from your local ward councillors’ budgets.

You will need to discuss your project with your ward councillors or you can email the ward budgets team on [email protected] for more details.

Inside Out grant programme

Inside Out is a free and inclusive summer festival that brings our city’s world-renowned arts, entertainment and culture into the streets and open spaces of Westminster.

We want to establish Inside Out as a free annual festival that will take place in August each year from 2023. 

To encourage participation, a dedicated grants programme has been launched to support partner activities. This aims to ensure fairer and wider access to funding for cultural organisations, artists and venues. While retaining a spotlight on the West End we wish to extend the festival across all parts of the borough this year and beyond.

Apply for the Inside Out grant programme

Culture and Community grants programme

The Culture and Community grants programme welcomes projects that engage both local residents and visitors to Westminster. This new annual fund invites arts organisations, community groups and schools to apply for support towards cultural activities that contribute to our Fairer Westminster Strategy.

It will enable local creatives and cultural organisations to draw on their expertise to deliver wellbeing and participatory activities in partnership with residents. Target beneficiaries include:

  • those facing financial access barriers
  • schoolchildren
  • 16 to 25 year olds
  • over 65s
  • global majority ethnic groups
  • those experiencing disabilities and social isolation

Apply for a Culture and Community grant

John Lyon's Charity

Gives grants to registered charities for the benefit of children and young people. The charity has distributed over £70 million to services including youth clubs, arts projects, counselling, child care and parental support schemes, sports programmes and academic bursaries and accept first stage proposals at any time. Please view the John Lyon's website for more details. 

The Westminster Amalgamated Charity 

Welcomes applications from organisations in Westminster or those outside the area that assist Westminster residents in need. 

Find out more about the Westminster Amalgamated Charity 

Published: 5 January 2021

Last updated: 22 December 2022