Cultural Innovation Grant Guidance Notes
The objectives of the current Winchester City Council Cultural Strategy include establishing Winchester as a vibrant centre for contemporary culture and creative enterprise alongside its reputation as a world-class heritage destination. Please refer, in particular, to the Win:Win action plan on pages 14 to 17 of the strategy which can be found at www.winchester.gov.uk/community/arts/cultural-strategy-winchester
What is it?
The cultural grant scheme is a one-off payment for festivals, cultural events or arts activities. The event or activity must be taking place in the Winchester District and benefit residents living in the Winchester District.
Funding is given in two instalments to your organisation’s business account. The grant can be for a maximum of £2,000.
Priority will be given to organisations which are not already in receipt of core funding or funding through one of the community grant schemes (www.winchester.gov.uk/community/grants), and those who have not previously received cultural grant funding from Winchester City Council.
Only one grant per organisation will be paid and it will be paid for one year only. Applications from previous recipients will be considered, however applicants are encouraged to find their own sustainable funding streams such as ticket sales.
Applicants must demonstrate to the grants panel how they are seeking to diversify income sources, in order to eliminate reliance on Winchester City Council grant funding in future years.
This grant scheme is not applicable for:
· profit making events, activities and projects
· charity fundraising events
· retrospective funding of spend on events, projects or activities
· repeat events, activities and projects unless there is a new element being introduced
· general running costs of an organisation
· capital or project activities of a statutory nature
Past recipients of the grant funding have been involved with:
· music, film and art festivals
· inventive theatre productions
· community involvement festivals
· social media campaigns
· creative workshops
· hire of specialist instructors
Who can apply?
Cultural organisations must be based and be active within the Winchester City Council area and show evidence of need of grant funding.
Grant funding rounds will be opened depending on funds available and are not guaranteed for future years.
How to apply?
Please use this online system to submit your application: https://winchester.flexigrant.com/
Your online application submission must include:
· a fully completed application form
· a risk assessment
· an event management plan (if appropriate)
· a copy of your organisation’s most recent accounts
· cash flow forecast for the current financial year
· evidence of costs for which a grant is sought (for example a print-out from a catalogue or link to a web page)
· details of the projected cost and sources of funding of the entire event or project.
Funding cannot be provided for items that have already been ordered or purchased.
A Microsoft Word copy of the application form is available on request.
What criteria are used to assess your application?
Winchester City Council is keen to encourage events which bring new or innovative ways to experience culture for residents and visitors alike.
Criteria are subject to change as the Council regularly reviews its policies and priorities.
Your application should take account of the following criteria, which are based on the aims and aspirations of Winchester District’s 2014 Cultural Strategy (www.winchester.gov.uk/assets/files/19513/Cultural-Strategy-2014.pdf)
The proposed activity will be expected to support one or more of the following objectives:
a) stimulates creative prosperity and attracts creative investment to Winchester’s economy
b) attracts people of skill, talent and enterprise and encourages graduate retention
c) is new or innovative
d) sustains Winchester district’s visitor appeal
e) provides new skills or learning opportunities for participants
f) enhances employment prospects
g) brokers partnerships with other organisations or community groups
h) transforms public spaces into cultural spaces and generates fresh ways to experience established cultural venues
i) promotes digital innovation
j) encourages participation across a diverse range of people
k) develops independent funding for future events
Please refer to these criteria in the “Organisation / Event / Activity Details” section of the application form. Please use a separate sheet if necessary.
Please note that any planning / building control / licence / business rates or other necessary consent must have been obtained before the grant is paid (e.g. if your event is food-based, you may need to register with our environmental health team)
If you are expecting more than 500 attendants to you event clearance will be required from the Winchester City Council Safety Advisory Group.
More information about planning an event can be found here: www.winchester.gov.uk/n/event-planning
When will the grant be paid?
Decisions will be made by a grants panel. If your application is successful, 50% of the grant will be paid within 21 days of receipt of your signed grant agreement. The final 50% will be paid within 21 days of receipt of your project completion report and evidence of expenditure, such as receipts.
Project Completion Report
On completion of your event, activity or project you will receive from Winchester City Council a project completion form which will need to show:
· how the grant money was used to improve the event
· how the event met the criteria of the Winchester Cultural Strategy
· whether the objectives stated in the application were achieved
· audience numbers for the event and where participants came from
· a conclusion
Winchester City Council audit checks
Winchester City Council reserves the right to investigate your organisation to check grant purchases have been made in accordance with the Cultural Grant Scheme criteria and application form.
Grant availability
Winchester City Council has allocated up to £10,000 to support cultural grants in the financial year 2017/18. This may not be available in future years. Grants will be assessed against the above criteria.
When a grant is awarded, the goods and services specified on the funding agreement may be purchased and reimbursement must be claimed no later than three months after the event/activity.
Repayment of Grant
You will be required to repay any grant which has been paid as a result of any false statement by you, or where the grant has not been used for the specified purpose as set out in the funding agreement.
Publication of information
The Transparency Code 2015 requires local authorities to publish details of the grants which have been awarded to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations: www.winchester.gov.uk/data/transparency/grants-voluntary-community-social-enterprise-organ.
You will be required to confirm the status of your organisation.
Other potential sources of funding
Should the Cultural Grant Scheme not be suitable to your organisation you may like to investigate other opportunities via www.winchester.gov.uk/community/arts/arts-funding
For help and advice in completing your application please contact:
Carol Hussey or Zoe Sipsma
Economy & Arts Support Officers
Winchester City Council
City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 8GH
Tel: 01962 848 196 (for Carol) or 01962 848 303 (for Zoe)
Email:
WCC Cultural Grant Guidance Notes – updated 11/05/17