Funding for arts and heritage projects

If you are considering applying to this fund, please carefully read the guidance and criteria for applicants. The application form, guidance and criteria document and information on subsidy control are below.

Apply

• Guidance and Criteria for Applicants to the Regional Cultural Fund 24/25 [PDF - 119KB]
• The Regional Cultural Fund Application Form 24/25 [DOC - 204KB]
• Subsidy Control Information [DOCX - 89KB]
• Regional Cultural Fund press release [DOCX - 274KB]

The Regional Cultural Fund has been introduced to make grants of up to £5000 available to enhance, improve and promote community-led creative and cultural programmes and facilities in Dumfries and Galloway. The Fund provides the opportunity for arts, heritage and community organisations across the region to take forward work that they could not otherwise finance.

The fund will also support arts, creative and heritage organisations to diversify their work and programmes if this directly leads to higher visitor numbers. Marketing initiatives that help promote cultural venues and the place promotion of locations in Dumfries and Galloway are welcome.  The fund will also support projects that clearly contribute to the sustainability of museums, galleries and cultural venues across Dumfries and Galloway - sustainability in terms of either increased business turnover, energy efficiency, recycling or environmental management measures.

Applicant organisations will need to demonstrate that their project can be completely planned, managed and fully delivered by February 28 2025.

Online Workshops

The Council and DGU (DG Unlimited) have arranged for four online workshops to take place to provide information and answer questions and queries on this new Fund. DG Unlimited is running a series of workshops on the 24th and 25th June via Zoom or Teams. If you would like to attend one of these workshops please register your interest by emailing DG Unlimited at  comms.dgu@gmail.com.

The Regional Cultural Fund 24/25 is fully funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund programme. The Fund is managed by Dumfries and Galloway Council with advice and assistance from the Steering Group for the forthcoming Dumfries and Galloway Partnership for Culture.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund.