Creative Steps for Individuals

About the Open Call

The aim of this fund is to support individual artists and organisations who have experienced barriers to accessing our funding. Creative Steps aims to address this by supporting artists and organisations throughout their journey, helping them with their professional, business and organisational development. We believe it is crucial to support these individuals and organisations because it is a priority for us to increase the diversity of work being created, funded and celebrated in Wales. Creative Steps for Individuals is open to individual artists and creatives who identify as being ethnically and culturally diverse, Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. This scheme focuses on these particular groups because research, both internally and externally, tells us that we are not engaging enough with individuals from these backgrounds. It also tells us that individuals from these backgrounds and lived experiences have not been able to access our funding easily and have faced barriers and/or discrimination. Applicants must have experience as an artist or creative professional, and some experience of making and sharing work with others. Applicants must clearly articulate the barriers they’ve had in their journey and how the Creative Steps funding can help remove those barriers. Creative Steps for Individuals is focused on supporting your professional development. It is not about supporting the creation of new work or the delivery of an artistic or creative project. Proposals could include: peer-to-peer learning, training courses related to your creative journey (not formal education), setting up groups/networks, mentorship/coaching, business development advice, social media and marketing advice, developing practical resources (website, marketing materials, equipment), or setting up a new organisation. Applicants are able to apply for £500 up to £7,500 (plus access costs) and up to 90% of the project cost. The remaining 10% should come from a non-Arts Council Wales or National Lottery source, which can be in-kind support, cash or both. We expect all applicants to include a cost for their own time and to pay freelancers the standard industry rates as a minimum. Applications are assessed on: clear understanding of current creative journey and how funding helps professional development, clear explanation of barriers and how funding removes them, rationale for why this is the right time for funding, identification of necessary professional development with clear rationale, action plan/timeline, and a clear budget. Additional factors like wider impact, geographical importance, artform impact, and alignment with corporate priorities may also be considered. An application form can be accessed via an Arts Council Wales Development Officer once it's been agreed that you're ready to submit an application. Submission requires an application form, a proposal, and a budget. The maximum project duration is 12 months. If you successfully receive Creative Steps for Individuals funding three times, you will not be able to apply for it again. International travel or artistic project delivery cannot be supported by this fund.

What is Offered

Funding of £500 up to £7,500 (plus access costs) for professional development, mentorship, and support to overcome barriers and advance artistic careers.

Requirements

Applicants must be individual artists and creatives who identify as ethnically and culturally diverse, Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent. They must have demonstrable artistic or creative experience, including some experience of making and sharing work with others. A portfolio can be submitted if prior experience of making/sharing work is limited. Applicants must clearly articulate the barriers they have faced in their creative journey and how the Creative Steps funding can help remove those barriers. Must be based in Wales.

How to Apply

To apply, contact an Arts Council Officer via email (creativesteps@arts.wales / camaucreadigol@celf.cymru) or telephone (03301 242733). Include your name, location, artform and artistic practice information (with links if available), and a brief overview of the barriers you've faced and how you are eligible. An Arts Council Officer will discuss your ideas, confirm eligibility, and connect you with a Creative Steps Mentor if you choose. They will release a link to the application form once your application is agreed to be ready for submission.