Arts Council Of Wales (cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £30+ million (multi-year funding alone)
• Success Rate: Heavily oversubscribed (specific rates not published)
• Decision Time: 8-10 working weeks
• Grant Range: £500 - £100,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Wales only

Contact Details

• Website: www.arts.wales
• Email: comms@arts.wales
• Phone: 03301 242 733
• Grants Portal: portal.arts.wales
• General Grants Email: grants@arts.wales

Overview

Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) was established as the national development agency for the arts in Wales. As a registered charity (1034245), they distribute approximately £30 million annually in multi-year funding alone, plus additional project-based grants through National Lottery and Welsh Government funding. Led by CEO Dafydd Rhys and Chair Maggie Russell, the organization has undergone strategic transformation with their 2024-2034 strategy focusing on five key priorities: prioritize, take action, simplify, career development, and transform. The Arts Council recently completed a major Investment Review in 2023, allocating £29.6 million to 81 organizations, 23 of which received multi-year funding for the first time.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Create (National Lottery): £48,000 - £101,000+ for arts development and creation projects (rolling basis, online portal)
• Creative Steps for Individuals: Up to £5,000 for career development (fixed deadlines)
• Creative Steps for Organisations: Up to £15,000 for organizational development (fixed deadlines)
• Arts, Health and Wellbeing Fund: £500 - £50,000 for health-focused arts projects (rolling basis)
• Multi-year Funding: Substantial core funding for established organizations (periodic reviews, currently paused for new applicants)
• Go and See Fund: Up to £1,000 for professional development travel (rolling basis)
• Capital Investment: Up to £8 million available for infrastructure projects (competitive process)

Priority Areas

Based on their six core principles:

• Nurturing Talent: Career development and fair pay for creative professionals
• Transformation: Innovation, risk-taking, and organizational resilience
• Widening Engagement: Reaching underrepresented communities
• Welsh Language: Arts experiences available in Welsh
• Climate Justice: Environmental sustainability in arts practice
• Quality Arts Experiences: Public engagement with high-quality creative work

What They Don't Fund

• Film projects (refer to Ffilm Cymru Wales)
• Music recording and distribution focused projects (refer to PRSF or Help Musicians UK)
• International travel (for Creative Steps programs)
• Projects already started or with start dates before assessment completion
• Full project costs (require minimum 10% match funding)
• Core activities for Arts Portfolio Wales members
• Schools (except through specific Creative Learning programs)

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Maggie Russell (appointed April 2023) - Former BBC Wales drama team leader with 35+ years arts experience

CEO: Dafydd Rhys (appointed October 2022) - Vision focused on making “the arts central” to Welsh society

Executive Leadership Team:

• Lorna Virgo - Director, Finance and Business Services
• Catryn Ramasut - Director of Arts: "Wales's creative spirit is abundant“ and committed to creating ”a vibrant, inclusive future" for Welsh arts

The Council meets six times yearly with trustees appointed by Welsh Government (unpaid except for Chair).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

• Online portal: portal.arts.wales for most funding streams
• Pre-application discussion: Mandatory for Creative Steps (must speak to Development Officer)
• Minimum lead time: 5 working weeks before project start (8 weeks for Create, 10 weeks for Large Create)
• Supporting documents: Budget template, artistic CV (individuals), project proposal

Decision Timeline

• Standard processing: 8 working weeks from submission
• Large Create: 10 working weeks minimum
• Appeals process: Initial review within 16 calendar days, full panel within 28 days if granted

Success Rates

Arts Council Wales experiences “exceptionally high demand” and expects funds to be “heavily over-subscribed” - specific success rates not published.

Reapplication Policy

• No mandatory waiting periods for most programs
• Multiple funding streams available - unsuccessful applicants can apply to other programs
• Appeals process available with independent review
• Creative Steps limit: Maximum 3 successful applications per individual (lifetime limit)

Application Success Factors

Key Assessment Criteria (Create Fund)

“Applications are assessed against published criteria and the quality of your artistic proposal, with ACW only able to support applications that present the most compelling and persuasive case.”

Artistic Quality: Innovation and strength of creative team with “appropriately paid opportunities for freelance creatives”

Project Management: “Strength of the project management and financial plans to ensure public funds are used appropriately”

Strategic Alignment: Support for “equalities, diversity, Welsh language, climate justice, nurturing creative talent and/or promoting sustainability”

Impact: “Potential impact both now and in the future, and benefit to others, particularly those underrepresented”

Application Strengthening Tips

• Partnership working: “The best projects happen when partners are involved”
• Clear progression narrative: Articulate “why this is the right time” for funding and how it addresses barriers
• Sufficient timeline: Build in adequate time for delivery, promotion, and audience development
• Match funding: Demonstrate 10% non-ACW income (can be in-kind or cash)
• Fee confirmation: Include confirmation from named collaborators of their involvement and fees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Align with the six principles - especially nurturing talent, transformation, widening engagement, Welsh language, and climate justice
• Demonstrate partnership working - ACW expects collaboration with other individuals/organizations
• Plan adequate timelines - submit well before deadlines with realistic delivery schedules
• Show progression impact - clearly articulate career/organizational development benefits
• Include Welsh language elements where appropriate - this is a strategic priority
• Budget professionally - use their templates and include appropriate fees for creatives
• Engage early - contact Development Officers for Creative Steps programs before applying

References

• Arts Council of Wales official website and funding pages (arts.wales) -
• Arts Council Wales Investment Review 2023 results and multi-year funding announcements
• Arts Council Wales Annual Reports and charity commission filings (Charity 1034245)
• Arts Council Wales strategy documents 2024-2034 and six core principles
• Create and Creative Steps funding guidelines and assessment criteria
• Arts Professional coverage of Arts Council Wales funding announcements and policy changes
• Welsh Government funding announcements and Arts Council Wales budget allocations