Performing Arts Grant Fund – opening 20 July 2026

Performing Arts Grant Fund is a grant from South Oxfordshire District Council that funds community and voluntary sector performing arts projects within South Oxfordshire. A total of £60,000 is available for 2026/27, with individual awards from £500 to £5,000. Projects must demonstrate significant community impact, meet identified needs, and ensure broad reach and access to the performing arts.

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit arts or community groups, voluntary organisations, and third sector entities within South Oxfordshire. Applications open 20 July 2026 and close at midday on 30 September 2026; projects must be completed within 12 months of the award decision.

Performing Arts Grant Fund - opening 20 July 2026 - South Oxfordshire District Council Performing Arts Grant Fund – opening 20 July 2026 We are upgrading our Planning and Land Charges systems. Please expect temporary, planned service interruptions between 9–23 April (Planning) and 9 April to date TBC (Land Charges). View our news page for more information.

− View our news page for more information. Performing Arts Grant Fund – opening 20 July 2026 The scheme aims to support community and voluntary sector performing arts groups within the district.

This scheme is designed to enhance the cultural landscape by providing financial assistance to projects that demonstrate a significant community impact, meet identified needs, and ensure broad reach, engagement, and access to the performing arts in South Oxfordshire. The deadline for applications is midday Wednesday 30 September 2026. How much is available and what for?

There is a fund of £60,000 available for 2026/27. Community and voluntary sector performing arts groups are invited to apply for grants from a minimum of £500 up to a maximum of £5,000 per application. We are happy to receive multiple applications from the same organisation, but benefits must be for a different group/audience.

Your project must be completed within 12 months of the award decision. Funding will be awarded to projects that align with the following community values and priorities, fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable performing arts scheme in South Oxfordshire: Increase the range of arts opportunities available to local communities. Support inclusive practice and celebrate diversity.

Develop local artistic talent. Promote innovation and excellence. Develop new audiences and participants in performing arts initiatives.

Projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to the community in South Oxfordshire and help us to deliver our arts objectives and priorities, these could include but not limited to: introducing new or improving performing arts projects and opportunities introducing an established activity or performing arts opportunity at a new location funding to hire professional arts companies to deliver workshops performances, partnership projects or cultural diversity programmes Please read our Funding Guidelines below for further examples of the projects we can fund.

We encourage all applicants to make their projects inclusive and accessible to all. We also recommend applicants to consider the climate and ecological implications of their project. This may include the use of sustainable materials or other climate-friendly options to reduce energy use where appropriate.

Funding Guidelines 2025/26* *Please note the funding guidelines are currently being updated for 2026/27 and will be added here shortly. Return to existing application Projects should provide benefit to more than one individual engaged in the performing arts (namely, theatre, music and dance), to groups of residents in South Oxfordshire.

The scheme is open to the following organisations: Not-for-profit, arts or community groups, voluntary, third sector or community sector, any of whom must have a constitution and committee structure Town/parish councils and parish meetings Not-for-profit preschools, PTAs and local authority-run schools or Academies (for non-statutory elements of the education programme not funded through school budgets and are out-of-hours provision) Other local authorities/public sector bodies Individuals who are the supplier of the service (artists and performers) Groups raising funds on behalf of or improving/creating facilities that will primarily benefit an ineligible organisation Profit-based businesses (private businesses) Political and lobbying groups Nationwide organisations (except with a local constitution and/or local bank account, or projects clearly related to a local hub/branch) The council is committed to promoting equality and diversity and welcomes applications from organisations representing minority or vulnerable groups.

For ideas of what previous grants have funded, please refer to the list of grants below:- For more information about the scheme and advice on potential projects, and other possible funding sources, please email the community arts team at performingartsgrants@southandvale. gov.uk (Text phone users add 18001 before dialling) grants@southandvale.

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