The Affects of Funding in the Arts

From November 2016 to July 2017, Dr Dan Ashton led a research project exploring arts funding in the UK. By connecting big questions on arts funding models and approaches with everyday questions around evaluating opportunities and completing applications, the project examined who applies for funding, how and why.

The project involved workshops and interviews with Southampton’s Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations. Key findings included:

• Understanding the different skills, experiences and approaches relevant for different types of funding
• An emphasis on cultivating long term donation relationships
• The efforts to remain collaborative and seek project partnerships in an increasingly competitive arts funding landscape
• The need for further research on how funding application forms are constructed

 Findings and ideas have been shared and discussed through a workshop at WSA and a presentation to the Tate Plus Development Network.