Make it Happen Arts and Culture Grants
Make it Happen is our flagship grant programme for arts and culture projects in Waltham Forest. Building upon the legacy of Borough of Culture in 2019 we want to continue celebrating the dynamism and diversity of our local area; we are inviting proposals from artists, community groups and other collectives that bring residents together and showcase the spirit of creativity that characterises our borough.
Make it Happen grants will continue to support an exciting portfolio of new projects across the Borough in 2022, but this year there will be additional funding to develop projects in Fellowship Square, the new public space outside Waltham Forest Town Hall that opened during Summer 2021. We want residents to feel a sense of ownership over the square and will therefore be accepting submissions that help us activate the space with communities in Waltham Forest over the coming year.
Grants available
You can bid for sums of between £1000 and £15,000, and £100k is available in total; you will need to provide an overview of how this will be spent in your proposal.
Funding Priorities
Make it Happen is an overarching programme for arts and culture projects, and we are therefore open to a range of proposals. Examples of projects we could consider funding coud include:
- Cultural events and festivals
- Artist residencies and exhibitions
- Theatre, dance, and other performances
- Programmes in schools, community venues and green spaces
- Photography and documentary films
- Public art and other installations
Unfortunately, we cannot fund the following:
- Events that do not take place in Waltham Forest
- Events that do not take place between March 2022 and March 2023
Make sure to read the guidance pack to learn about our funding priorities and the criteria by which we will assess applications.
Eligibility
We will be accepting submissions from a range of groups, these include:
- Individual practitioners
- Artist collectives
- Community organisations, residents’ associations, and charities
- Schools and places of worship
You may also consider applying in a partnership, an artist collaborating with a school for example.
You will need to have a bank account in order to apply. You will also be asked to list two referees, who will be required to provide a statement on your suitability for the grant if you are successful.
Your project must take place in Waltham Forest in order to be eligible, however we welcome submissions from organisations and practitioners who are based outside of the Borough.
Funding Deadline
Applications open: Monday 1st November
Application deadline: Sunday 19th December
The review panels will take place throughout January 2022 and we hope to announce the successful proposals by February 1st, with a view to projects beginning from March 2022.
How to apply
Read the application guidance here.
Login to your account if you have already started your application.
Further details of how to make an application can be found in the guidance pack.
Alternatively, you may make a submission by video. This can be up to five minutes in length and must address all four of the questions below:
- Tell us what you want to do/what is your idea?
- Tell us about you or your organisation’s links to Waltham Forest
- Discuss your recent experience in delivering similar projects
- How will your project respond to the grant priorities?
- How much will your activity cost and how would you spend the money?
- What impact do you hope your project would have locally?
Again please reference the guidance pack for more information on how to apply and our funding priorities.
Application Support
We will be running a series of workshops and surgeries throughout November, allowing prospective applicants the opportunity to discuss any queries they have regarding making a submission. These sessions will require a booking, see below for booking details.
Walthamstow
Crate, 35 St James Street, E17 7FY,
November 10th, 1 to 5PM
Leyton
Arbeit Studios, 778-782 High Road Leyton, E10 6AE,
November 18th, 4 to 7PM
Chingford
Friday Hall, 56 Friday Hill East, E4 6JT
November 27th, 1 to 5PM
Contact
If you have a query, please contact us via email at culture@walthamforest.gov.uk and include “Make it Happen Grants” in the title.
