Salford City Council has launched a new fund to support freelance creatives – offering grants of up to £500 for musicians, artists, and performers.
The Salford Creatives Fund will enable them to apply for grants of £250-£500 for professional development, in an effort to develop the culture scene of the city.
The initiative comes alongside a new Greater Manchester Arts-funded programme of professional and creative training opportunities for creatives, which is set to go live in the coming months.
Sally Cook, Culture Programme Manager at Salford City Council, said: “The Salford Creatives Fund is a pilot scheme launched as part of our wider strategy to support and develop Salford’s diverse culture sector.”
Salford-based creatives will be able to use these grants to purchase new equipment, such pieces of kit or tech devices, that will help them to continue their creative & business journey.
Funds can also go towards training courses, work-related travel costs, or for childcare cover during professional development periods, for example.
Cook said: “We hope that keeping the eligible costs as broad as possible will help the grants make the greatest impact in terms of professional development for our creatives.
“But importantly, it will help provide us with a clear picture of what the sector needs most, right now. This will inform and shape any future support that we’re able to offer.”
Only applicants with a Salford postcode for their home or business will be eligible for the scheme. These one-off grants are only for freelance independent professionals, so applications from small organisations will not be accepted.
Applications can be made through Salford CVS (Community and Voluntary Services) before Friday 14 February 2025.
Featured image from Unsplash.
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