About the Arts Grants Scheme

  1. About the Arts Grants Scheme

    The Arts Grants Scheme, who can apply and what the grants can be used for.

  2. Application process

    How Arts Grants applications are assessed and what you need to do if your application is successful.

  3. How to apply for the Arts Grants Scheme

    Guidance on how to complete the Arts Grants Scheme Application Form.

  4. Terms and conditions

    Read and understand the full terms and conditions of the Arts Grants Scheme and the commitments you are agreeing to if your application is successful.

About the scheme

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea recognises the value of the arts and is committed to supporting artists and organisations to develop high quality arts activities within the borough.

This commitment is reflected in four key ambitions to:

  • demonstrate ambition, creativity, and originality
  • promote collaborative working and build capacity across new and established partnerships
  • create learning and development opportunities for audiences and participants (which includes artists)
  • ensure that creative activity is accessible and supports wellbeing for our residents

The term ‘arts’ includes music, sound, dance, mime, drama, theatre, storytelling, creative writing, poetry, architecture and allied fields, printmaking, installation, circus, carnival, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, costume and fashion design, textiles, public art, digital arts, video, new media, film and animation.

Who can apply

We welcome applications from any of the following who are based in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:

  • individuals, aged 18 years and over who are supported by a borough based legally registered organisation
  • registered professional or registered voluntary arts organisation
  • registered community interest company (CIC)
  • registered charity, community, voluntary or not-for-profit organisation
  • youth group
  • health group or organisation
     
If your organisation is based in the borough but not a legally registered entity, you must provide details of a borough based registered organisation to support your application. The grant will be paid into the registered organisation’s bank account. 

If you are an individual or organisation that is not based in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, you can still apply if you can provide a letter or email of support from a borough based registered organisation.  You will also need to ensure that the Arts Grants funded portion of your project takes place within the borough.

If your application is successful, we require the following documentation.
 

Applying as a representative of an organisation

You will need to provide a copy of a recent, redacted bank statement. The bank statement must clearly display the name, address, sort code and account number of the organisation.  You will also need to provide your company registration number.

Applying as an individual who is supported by an organisation

You will need to provide a confirmation letter or email from your chosen borough based partner organisation that can receive the grant award. We cannot pay grants into a personal bank account.  Your chosen partner organisation will also need to provide the information listed above in the first bullet point.

Who cannot apply

We welcome applications from any of the following as partners of projects, but not as the lead applicant:

  • schools or educational establishments
  • any local authority-maintained organisation or departments within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea local authority
  • commercial companies or profit-making organisations with projects for the purpose of making a profit
We are not able to accept applications from current grant holders or previous grant holders who have failed to return a satisfactory evaluation for the activity funded. Applicants are not permitted to hold more than one Arts Grant award in the same financial year or to receive funding in consecutive rounds.
How much you can apply for

Individuals and organisations can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £3,000.

Amounts anywhere between £500 - £3,000 may be requested.

The arts grants do not cover 100% of project costs. Matched funding is required, at least 10% of the total project costs.

What we will fund

We will fund:

  • projects clearly meeting at least two of the four ambitions
  • projects taking place within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and of benefit to our residents
  • projects that have a participatory element
  • artist-based talks
  • research and development leading to a project that will result in clear public benefit
  • marketing and promotional material required as part of a project
  • materials or equipment required as part of a project
What we will not fund

We do not fund:

  • p​​​​rojects that are for private gain, or result in a profit
  • projects that have no public benefit for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
  • projects that do not have a strong arts component
  • existing website maintenance
  • study or training fees
  • activities that promote a particular political or religious view
  • framing or exhibition mounting costs
  • refreshments or meals
  • capital costs
  • core running costs or overheads, for example utilities, stationery or rent (although up to 10% of your budget can include costs for overheads specific to your application)
  • loan repayments
  • VAT
  • budget deficits
  • endowments
  • promotional material, videos and online marketing for the applicant in general, rather than a specific project
  • activities that have already taken place
  • activities placed in a formal education setting as part of the core curriculum
  • recurring projects with no development, such as regular workshops, annual festivals/events

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Arts Grants Scheme and to receive an application, contact the Arts Service: 

Last updated: 25 July 2025