Catalyst grant to help support artistic practice in the UK

DACS, in association with a consortium comprising Axisweb, a-n The Artists Information Company and Artquest have been awarded £129,843 from Arts Council England’s Catalyst Arts: Building Fundraising Capacity programme.

Formed over 18 months ago to collectively champion and support opportunities for artists across the UK, the consortium will receive funding to explore the creation of a small grants programme to allow artists the space to further their practice and develop new work and ideas. 

With private support for the visual arts, primarily focused on institutions and their buildings, exhibitions and education projects, the consortium has devised a programme of giving to redress the balance and provide direct support to artists.

Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director, Arts Council England says: ‘The Catalyst programme helps arts organisations to build their fundraising capacity which is particularly important in today’s challenging climate. I'm delighted that this project has been awarded funding. It will help visual artists develop new work by creating a conduit for philanthropic giving to individual artists.’

The consortium organisations have been working with artists Joseph Young (AIR Council) and Sally Sheinman to devise the fund.

Consultants Counterculture were commissioned to develop a business case for the fund.

This £7 million Catalyst Arts fund is part of the £110 million fund to boost philanthropy by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).