‘Grants for the Arts’ is not a new funding scheme; it has been operating now for over 2 years and recently it has undergone a makeover. On October 3rd 2005, Arts Council England (ACE) will begin accepting funding applications under the scheme using the newly improved application form. In addition it will incorporate new organisational procedures that have been recommended in an evaluation of the scheme’s progress.
In April 2003, ACE first launched its ambitious new funding scheme: ‘Grants for the Arts’. It was considered the flagship project following the previous year’s massive overall restructuring of the Arts Council of England and the 10 regional Arts Boards to form one single organisation. It also coincided with the signing of a new funding agreement between the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and ACE. In this agreement it was made clear that administrative savings were expected to result both from the overall restructuring of ACE and from the introduction of the new ‘Grants for the Arts’ system.
