Dorset Performing Arts Fund Is Now Open

11 Oct

Previous recipient Charmaine K, for ‘Tempest Rerigged.’

This funding is now closed to applications

Do you live in the Dorset Council area of Dorset? Is there something you’d love to do to aid your professional development? Is it something you don’t have the cash for? Does it cost £500 or less?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

With our friends at Dorset Community Foundation, we’re making £5000 available to support at least 10 artists or producers that work in performing arts in Dorset.

What can I use the money for?

We’re open to your ideas on what will be best for your professional development. Some things you might like to consider are:

Training courses
Tickets to events to inspire you
Conferences
Travel for meetings with mentors
What can’t the money be used for?
There are a few things we won’t fund. These include:
Food and drink
Accommodation

Most importantly, this is not a fund to contribute to the development of a project. There a plenty of other funds for this, including the Dorset Council Community and Culture Fund and Arts Council England’s Project Grants.

Do I have to work in performing arts?

Yes. This fund is not for musicians, visual artists, or museum professionals – though we are working to find a fund those in these parts of the cultural sector.

By performing arts, we include theatre, dance, comedy, spoken word and performance art.

Do I have to live in Dorset?

Yes. More specifically, you have to live in the Dorset Council area of Dorset (apologies to those in Poole, Bournemouth, or Christchurch).

How will you select people?

We’re using a random selection system. We’ll do a basic compliance check on everyone and then we’ll add your name to a digital ‘hat’.

We’ll then draw names from that hat.

This will give us a list of those who have been successful.

There’ll also be a reserve list in case any of the successful applicants are ineligible.

We’ll check that the activity you want to do is eligible and that you are who you say you are.

How do I apply?

Fill in this Google form: https://tinyurl.com/3da9mjcv

We don’t want this to take very long. This isn’t an application based on your ability to answer questions well.

If you’d rather, you can record a video (no more than 3 minutes) and send it to hello@theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk.

Applications need to be submitted by 9am Wednesday 1 November 2023.

What happens next?

We’ll get in touch with you and make an offer.

We’ll draw up a letter of agreement. We’ll generally make payments on receipt of invoice (though can pay in advance under special circumstances).

What do I have to do once I’ve received the bursary?

As it’s a relatively small amount of money, we’re not asking for much. We would, though, like you to provide us with some writing or a video about your experience.

When does the money need to be spent by?

We’d like the money to be spent by 31st March 2024.

What are the key details again?

Apply for up to £500
For professional development
Performing arts only
Based in Dorset Council area only
Application deadline 9am Wednesday 1 November
Fill in this form: https://tinyurl.com/3da9mjcv

Jasmine O'Hare