FAQs
Ignite Fund FAQs
Can individual artists apply for medium ignite funding or only small?
Individual artists can apply for medium, these will be for medium-scale projects and therefore applicants must be able to demonstrate the capacity to undertake and deliver the project.
What are timescales for applying for funding? Is there a set deadline to submit an application?
Deadlines will be confirmed in the New Year once the steering group is established.
7. Is the Ignite Fund available for potential delivery partners? What is the difference between the Steering Group and the delivery partners?
The Ignite Fund includes our Open Access project schemes for people to apply for. The Steering Group will be responsible for setting the criteria and undertaking assessments. The Ignite Fund also has specific ring-fenced allocations for priority groups and specific sectors that provide development support alongside funding. Each development strand is led by a delivery partner.
Black/Global majority – Talawa
LGBTQ+ - Stanley Arts
d/Deaf and disabled – SAVVY working with the THRIVE network
Young People – CMA working with the Culture Hubs
Music – CEZ / Croydon Music City
Heritage – John Whitgift Foundation
Will there be development opportunities for orgs that haven't been chosen to lead on sections of the bid? Promoting events is good but after COVID we need funds!
The main element of the Ignite Fund is open access funding for organisations and individuals to receive funding to deliver their projects.
Organisations leading the ring-fenced strands of the Ignite Fund will each develop their own delivery plan by the end of March. Each strand will be different but we are expecting the majority to include some funding for artists and arts organisations to apply for alongside the development support offered. Details will be announced In April
Flagship projects may also have further opportunities for wider members of the culture network to be involved working with the lead partners.
The culture hubs will be providing training and access to fundraising expertise and training.
Programme FAQs
Thinking about intersectional identities. How will funding work for projects that work across more than 1 identity? How will cross hub working be encouraged?
We have defined funding for specific priority groups (LGBTQ+, d/Deaf & disabled, Black & global majority) which we recognise as under-represented. However we welcome applications including inter-sectional identities and recognise that our diversity is a key strength within our programme. The Culture Hubs will also work closely to ensure they encourage inter-sectional collaboration and partnership.
I would like to include our programme in the borough of culture and equally apply for funding. What’s the procedure and where do we start.
Deadlines for funding are yet to be outlined but please do share your ideas through our feedback form on our engagement pages which will open on the 3rd December.
What is the Liberty Festival?
Liberty is the Mayor of London’s flagship programme celebrating D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists. Since 2019, it has developed into a touring festival, taking D/deaf and disabled arts to local communities in outer boroughs when it was embedded into his flagship programme, London Borough of Culture.
Will you be promoting all events or just those that get funded?
We are keen to be supporting all cultural events taking place during the life of the programme irrespective of whether they have been directly funded or not. There will be some basic criteria that events will need to comply with and there will be a social charter with diversity and inclusion aims that event organisers will need to agree to.
Delivery FAQs
Are you having a dedicated fund raising team focusing on Croydon businesses?
Not dedicated but it is envisaged that the three named Culture Hubs (Turf Projects, Fairfield Halls and Stanley Arts) will have a Lead Community Producer who will be involved with fundraising for the Culture Hub and the wider BoC programme which would include looking to local businesses. It is also envisaged that there will be a business sponsorship scheme for the programme similar to the Croydon Cultural Partnership scheme.
How do you put yourself forward to become a member of the steering group?
Nominations will open online through the Culture Network Borough of Culture engagement pages. This weblink will be circulated through the Culture Network newsletter and will be a survey to submit your brief application. Both individuals and organisations can apply but we ask that you have a clear connection and interest in Croydon’s creative and cultural sector.
How are / will you be connecting with Croydon businesses? At the moment, there is a lack of excitement and understanding about BoC's importance in these groups.
Borough of Culture is also an opportunity for local businesses and we will ensure we are engaged with organisations such as BIDs, local traders organisations, Croydon Chamber and Pubwatch. We will look to how we can more formally connect to local businesses who are connected to Croydon’s creative and cultural sector.
How do you apply to be a Culture Hub and what role do they play in the programme?
Three Culture Hubs are being established (Fairfield Halls, Turf Projects and Stanley Arts) with further Culture Hubs developed throughout the lifetime of Borough of Culture as part of its legacy. They will need to develop as anchor cultural organisations within their communities that can provide access to space and resource for surrounding cultural and creative organisations and artists. The steering group will look to developing future Culture Hubs as part of their role in the programme.