Ikigai Journal #033
Connect with obscure funding opportunities
For 33 weeks I have tried to turn this into a sustainable newsletter whilst having barely any income except a few location management jobs. Every week, I have anxiously tried to market the newsletter, pay researchers and spend the hours required to arduously comb through 200+ funding opportunities myself.
It hasn’t been easy to curate a series of weekly opportunities but the idea of connecting you with the knowledge you need to execute your creative ideas has got me through all the twists and turns. I hope I am doing a good enough job but the aim, as always, is to evolve.
The mission came from speaking to numerous creatives, who for one reason or another couldn’t obtain funding opportunities when they needed them most - as a subscriber, I’m sure you can relate. 33 issues in, as I reevaluate the mission. Im excited about developing new ways to connect you with hard to find funding opportunities.
I am resolved to finding small, effective ways to make sure you are getting value - starting with listening to you, so keep an eye on your inbox as I will be reaching out soon.
Thank you. I am grateful to you for sticking with the Ikigai Journal and for all your support. I am continuing the constant evolution process - starting with sharing the knowledge you need to execute your boldest creative ideas.
This weeks featured artist is Christin Austin - check out her bold and exciting work.
Until next week.
London Art Biennale 2021
Visual Arts | Multiple Prizes Up To £5,000 | 31st March 2021
Applications are now open for the 5th edition of the London Art Biennale commencing in 2021. A celebration of modern art, and a calling for artists from all over the world with every stylistic choice from any artistic movement, the London Art Biennale offers artists a platform to have their work exhibited in Chelsea, London, where they will have the chance to win numerous awards including monetary prizes of up to a £5,000 GBP. Read more and apply here.
Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2021-22
Visual Arts | Exhibition Opportunity & £8,000 | 31st March 2021
The Mark Tanner Sculpture Award is unique in its combination of offering both £8000 in financial support towards the production of new work and a solo exhibition to an exceptional emerging sculptor. The award now includes a UK Touring Programme, taking MTSA artists to partner venues across the UK. There is no age limit and applicants must be established residents of the UK. Students in current education, joint, group or collective applications are not eligible to apply. Read more and apply here.
The Liverpool Plinth 2021: Artist Call
Visual Arts | Opportunity & £1,000 | 19th March 2021
dot-art, Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool Parish Church are looking for the fourth artist to have their work installed on The Liverpool Plinth in 2021. The sculptor, who must live and work in the North of England, will see their work displayed on the site within Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage waterfront at Liverpool Parish Church. The selected artist will also receive a £1,000 prize plus support with delivery and installation. Read more and apply here.
Artist in Residence, Elan Valley
Visual Arts | £3,000 | 26th March 2021
Applications are invited from visual artists for the 2021 - 22 Artists Residency programme in the Elan Valley, mid-Wales. Three residencies are available: one for August-December 2021, one for January-June 2022 and one for August-December 2022. Through the arts we want to better understand, explore and engage with nature, water and issues around sustainability, as well as the rural/urban dynamic. The Artists’ Residencies aim to achieve this. Read more and apply here.
Bildingship Artist Residency/ Fellowship
Visual Arts | Opportunity | 28th March 2021
bildingship “is a working fellowship for young artists, to use bilding as space for their own artistic work as well as actively engaging in the regular workshop programs for the duration of half a year (prolongation to one year is possible), including part-time employment (maximum income € 446.81 per month for approx. 10 hours per week). Read more and apply here.
Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers Re-opens
Music | Up To £2,000 | 22nd March 2021
Applications are invited from visual artists for the 2021 - 22 Artists Residency programme in the Elan Valley, mid-Wales. Three residencies are available: one for August-December 2021, one for January-June 2022 and one for August-December 2022. Through the arts we want to better understand, explore and engage with nature, water and issues around sustainability, as well as the rural/urban dynamic. The Artists’ Residencies aim to achieve this. Read more and apply here.
‘Power Up’ - Applications open for Black music creators and industry professionals
Music | up to £15,000 | 10th March 2021
Power Up has announced the opening of its participant programme application process for this ground-breaking new initiative managed by PRS Foundation. Black music creators and industry professionals have one month to apply to the programme, with the application deadline set at Wednesday 10th March (6pm). Successful applicants will be announced in April 2021. Read more and apply here.
Funding for High Quality New Music Projects
Music | Up To £2,000 | 22nd March 2021
The PRS Foundation has announced that grants of up to £10,000 are available to support new music projects led by promoters, talent development organisations, venues, festivals, curators and large performance groups. Supported projects will involve the creation, performance and promotion of new music and enable Music Creators i.e. songwriters, composers, or solo artists, bands, producers and performers of all backgrounds, to develop creatively and professionally. Read more and apply here.
Talent Development Scheme And Commission
Music | Development & £2,000 | 23rd March 2021
Establishing yourself as a professional composer is rarely easy. Now, as the pandemic continues to impact classical music, this has undoubtedly become even harder. Annually, the Royal Philharmonic Society Composers programme aims to transform the prospects of promising composers and we are pleased to welcome applications for 2021. Read more and apply here.
Competition And Talent Development Scheme
Film | Opportunity | 25th March 2021
UKTV are partnering with TCN to turbo charge their ground breaking Writer Slam programme. UKTV will be taking Writer Slam to the next level, promising not just a development commission, but a greenlit season of originals on Dave in 2021/22. As usual the competition is open to any UK resident, regardless of their previous experience or age. Whether your script is about telling a story we’ve never seen on TV before, or whether it’s simply a universal story told by a different voice, we want to hear from you. Read more and apply here.
Image Behaviour by Dr. Martens and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
Film | Between £5,000 and £30,000 | 30th March 2021
This landmark partnership will provide 7 grants to support emerging and under-represented artists. The grants will help fund projects dedicated to forward-thinking design and moving image, providing a stepping stone for struggling artists at a time they need it most. We are currently inviting proposals from UK-based emerging artists and collaborators who are looking to make their first significant presentation in a UK institution and who feel that they would benefit from expert mentoring and production support. Read more and apply here.
ScreenSkills bursaries: apply for funding to progress your career
Film | Around £1,141 | 1st April 2021
Apply for funding to progress your career. ScreenSkills bursaries are designed to provide financial assistance to those looking to enter, progress in, return to, or transfer into the screen industries. You can apply for money to pay for most things that relate to training, work and work-related activities, including training fees, accommodation, care, disability access costs, equipment, software and travel. Read more and apply here.
Genera Film Fund
Film | Up to £5,000 | No Deadline
Genera has been set up to provide an alternative way for short filmmakers worldwide to fund their work, offering up to £5000 per project. Note there are one off submission fees for each film you submit. They are looking for: the strength of the story and vision, previous work and/or experience of applicant, and the viability of the project budget and production. Read more and apply here.
National Youth Arts Trust
Performing Arts | Up To £1,000 | 26th March 2021
We grant music bursaries, dance bursaries and drama bursaries, up to £1,000 each, to talented young people aged 12-25 who can’t afford to access opportunities in the arts. A bursary typically pays for a year’s part time dance, music or drama classes, and it can be used to cover some other expenses and costs too, including tuition fees at drama school. Read more and apply here.
The Theatrical Guild
Performing Arts | Unspecified Funding | No Deadline
This fund supports any kind of stage technician or engineer; company and stage managers; stagehands; anyone involved in costume, hair or makeup; designers and makers of sets, props and puppets; and ushers or box office staff. Read more and apply here.
Equity Charitable Trust
Performing Arts | Training Grant | No Deadline, Opens April 2021
Sometimes what worked for you in your 20’s does not work so well in your 40’s and there may come a time when you want to re-qualify. Or if you wish to develop a second income stream to ensure greater financial continuity and satisfaction between jobs, then turn to us. If you’ve reached a crossroad and want to retrain, sharpen your skill set or develop another income stream, we can help make it happen. Read more and apply here.
Stagehand - The PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund
Performing Arts | Unspecified Funding | No Deadline
If disaster should strike - in particular, an injury or illness that prevents you working or forces an unplanned change of career - it’s good to know that emergency help may be at hand. Depending on your circumstances, Stagehand may be able to offer you a small grant to help tide you over, or to help with re-training. It is not, of course, designed to be a substitute for insurance cover. This charitable Trust was set up in 1998 as a centre of support and resource to PSA members at times of personal crisis. Read more and apply here.
£1 Million London Resilience Fund
Social Impact | Up to £50,000 | 1st April 2021
The Mayor of London, in partnership with Nesta Challenges, has launched a new £1 million innovation programme to help London’s businesses and community groups emerge stronger from the current coronavirus crisis, and to ensure the capital is better prepared for future challenges. The Mayor’s Resilience Fund is open to early-stage or fully funded start-ups based in London, including tech SMEs, to develop innovative solutions to some of the key issues facing London. Read more and apply here.
Project Funding to Support Local Communities & the Environment
Social Impact | Up to £20,000 | 15th March 2021
Charities and other good causes in the West of England can apply for funding for projects that have a positive impact on communities and the environment. Registered Charities can apply for grants up to £20,000 to support both project and organisation core costs. Small organisations and community groups that are not formally registered as a charity can apply for up to £2,000. Read more and apply here.
Funding to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities
Social Impact | Up to £5,000 | 10th May 2021
Grants of between £250 and £5,000 are available to volunteer-led charities, community groups, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations in South Yorkshire for projects which will make a difference to their local communities. South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation’s Community Grants Programme will provide funding for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. Read more and apply here.
Grants for Projects that Have a Positive Impact on Communities & the Environment
Social Impact | Up to £20,000 | 15th March 2021
The Postcode Neighbourhood Trust has reopened its grants programme and will award grants monthly until October 2021. Funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Trust makes grants to support smaller charities and good causes in the North of England for projects that have a positive impact on communities and the environment. Registered charities can apply for grants of up to £20,000, other not for profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to support both project and organisation core costs. Read more and apply here.