Guide to Arts Council Wales’ latest multi-year funding programme

Arts Council Wales (ACW) has published its guidance outlining how Welsh arts organisations can apply for its latest multi-year funding programme.

Ahead of applications opening in January, the guidance outlines a range of changes determined by a review process that ACW conducts prior to each new multi-year programme opening.

It marks the first investment review since ACW’s last portfolio was announced in 2015. Originally penned for 2020, the review was delayed by the pandemic, with the proposals subject to public consultation earlier this year.

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Arts Professional has read through the published guidance to break down the key information for prospective applicants.

What is new?

The guidance introduces six principles, which ACW says has driven its investment review and will influence its future funding decisions.

The principles are Creativity, Widening Engagement, Welsh Language, Climate Justice, Nurturing Talent and Transformation. They are largely self-explanatory but are succinctly explained by ACW Chief Executive Dafydd Rhys in this short introductory video.

Initially referred to as priorities, ACW renamed these focuses as principles following feedback during the consultation phase. Five of the six are unchanged from the consultation period, with Widening Engagement being renamed from Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Organisations applying to the multi-year funding programme will need to demonstrate commitment to each of the principles.

What is changing?

Any initial funding offer will be for three years, rather than the current five years.

ACW says this move will allow it to be more responsive and aid its long-term strategic planning.

Organisations that miss out on funding, or are not ready to apply in this round, should not worry about having to wait long for another opportunity. ACW says it is planning for there to be annual opportunities to apply for multi-year funding programmes moving forward, so another chance to enter the portfolio could be available as early as March 2025. More details on that are expected in the coming months.

After an initial three-year funding period, there will be potential for an extension of up to an extra three years.

This will be agreed during a "check-in" during the second year of initial funding. Eligibility will be determined by performance and delivery against targets set out in the funding agreement.

What can I apply for?

Organisations will need to choose to apply for either core funding or funding for a specific project or programme of activity.

Core funding will go towards overall running costs and core deliverables. Project funding must align with ACW’s six principles and go towards costs associated with delivering a specific element within a larger operation or multi-year arts project.

The guidance does not state how much funding organisations will be able to apply for – or how much funding will be available in total – but it confirms that, like ACW’s existing multi-year programme, funding will come from a combination of Welsh Government Grant in Aid and National Lottery funds.

ACW says it “fully expects demand for funding to greatly exceed the funding available”.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made through ACW’s online grant portal. Organisations that have not used the portal before can register ahead of the application window starting.

All applicants will have to answer questions about their recent and future activities and submit business plans and budgets that cover 2024 to 2027.

The main part of the application will be based upon ACW’s six principles. Organisations will need to demonstrate how they will adopt these principles through measures including working with freelancers, committing to anti-racist and anti-ableist practices, increasing the number of Welsh speakers where appropriate, developing environmental policy and working towards diverse governance and leadership.

Responses should also be linked the organisation’s long-term mission, vision and aims.

Organisations will be able to apply in English, Welsh or British Sign Language and submit written, video or oral evidence and answers.

Key dates

Applications will be open from 9 January until 31 March.

ACW is advising prospective organisations to contact them before making an application, especially if they are not an existing portfolio member. Officers will be available to have a “guided conversation” before 3 March, after when ACW will only assist with technical queries.

Once applications are closed, the funder will assess applications between April and August, before communicating initial decisions by end of September 2023. At this point, an appeal process will be open for 21 days.

Any current portfolio members that are unsuccesful in retaining regular funding could be eligible for transition support – ACW says it is currently considering this, with more information expected in the coming months.

The funder plans to give confirmation of its new regular funding arrangements by the end of December next year, at which time outcomes will be published.

The new funding arrangements will commence in April 2024, around nine years after ACW’s last multi-year programme launched.