£5,000 grants available through Sheffield’s new Arts and Culture Fund
Small arts, culture and heritage organisations in Sheffield can apply for grants of up to £5,000 following the launch of a new fund created to strengthen the city’s cultural sector.
Applications are now open for the Sheffield Arts and Culture Fund, established and managed by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) on behalf of Culture Sheffield and Sheffield City Council.
The fund aims to support grassroots, not-for-profit organisations with grants to for arts, culture and heritage projects which benefit Sheffield’s residents and communities.
This could include developing skills and leadership, strengthening governance and financial sustainability, building partnerships, creating inclusive cultural opportunities or developing the experience needed to secure future investment.
It follows Sheffield’s successful shortlisting to become UK City of Culture 2029 and builds on the ambition of Sheffield’s 10-year Culture Strategy to ensure that everyone who lives in, works in or visits the city has the opportunity to benefit from arts and culture.
Martin Singer DL, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to open the Sheffield Arts and Culture Fund which will offer much-needed, practical support to the small and grassroots organisations that make a vital contribution to the city.
“Arts, culture and heritage play such an important role in bringing Sheffield’s diverse communities together and creating a stronger sense of pride in place. But smaller organisations often have limited resources to develop their ideas and bring projects to life.
“This fund is about helping those organisations to explore new opportunities which, in turn, will enable them to reach more people.
“As, well as encouraging eligible organisations to apply, we’re also keen to hear from businesses, philanthropists and individuals who want to help grow the fund and create a lasting source of support for Sheffield’s cultural life.”
A spokesperson for Sheffield City Council, said: “Culture Sheffield have partnered with SYCF on this fund to drive more investment into Sheffield’s culture sector. This has been a clear strategic objective of the Culture Strategy from the outset, and the Sheffield Arts and Culture Fund aims to support community-based culture projects and small arts organisations who are currently doing fantastic work with limited resources.
“The Culture Strategy is a 10-year vision to ensure that everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Sheffield has the opportunity to benefit from arts and culture. Culture Sheffield was set up to act on this ambition alongside arts organisations and creatives in the city, though the positive impact of this fund goes beyond just the arts sector. An increase in cultural programmes leads to increased community cohesion, reduced social isolation and improvements to physical and mental health. This is an investment in the wellbeing of local people.
“We have now been shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029, which is a fantastic reflection of the creative work taking place across Sheffield. We need to support the organisations who make this city what it is, and we’re excited to see the projects that come out of the Arts and Culture Fund.”
SYCF patron and long-term supporter of the Foundation, Neil MacDonald OBE, said: “Sheffield has a thriving cultural sector, and at its heart are amazing community organisations and projects. This fund will provide much needed financial support for these grass roots organisations to ensure they thrive and continue to benefit our local communities.
“I would urge others to join this initiative. Creating a lasting source of funding must be the goal, so that we can invest even more in our local people.”
Linda Bloomfield from RivelinCo – an arts group delivering creative programmes in community venues across north Sheffield, said: “We're delighted to hear about the new SYCF grant, which aims to support grassroots arts and culture in Sheffield.
“We are a small cultural organisation working with communities across North Sheffield - our work supports people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, develop new skills, build confidence, and celebrate pride in place. Most of our work is free at the point of access, so we can't do what we do without this kind of support. We're excited to see the big difference it will make in our neighbourhood and many others.”
SYCF is South Yorkshire’s largest grant giving charity and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Since 1986, the Community Foundation has awarded £40 million to thousands of groups across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield.
Funded activities and expenditure can start from April 2027, with projects running for up to 12 months.
Applications close at 9am on Monday 4 January 2027.
Apply at www.sycf.org.uk/apply/search-our-grants/sheffield-arts-culture-fund<https://www.sycf.org.uk/apply/search-our-grants/sheffield-arts-culture-fund>
Donate at Sheffield Arts and Culture Fund - JustGiving<https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sheffieldartsandculturefund>.
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Source: Submitted by steve@radioessentials.co.uk