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East Sussex Arts Partnership (East Sussex County Council, Lewes and Eastbourne Councils, Rother District Council and We…

East Sussex Arts Partnership Grants

The East Sussex Arts Partnership (ESAP), a panel of East Sussex County Council and the Lewes/Eastbourne, Rother and Wealden councils, gives small grants of up to £1,000 for time-limited, public arts activity in Lewes District, Eastbourne Borough, Rother District and Wealden District that supports the East Sussex Cultural Strategy priorities. It aims in particular to support early career professionals and prioritises new applicants. Applicants need at least 50% match funding, and grants are paid only after the project ends. The next closing date is 6 January 2027 (panel decision 28 January 2027).

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £1,000
Deadline
80 days left
6 January
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Freelance artists, Community Interest Companies, not-for-profit organisations, charities and community or voluntary groups
  • The applicant must be a non-profit distributing organisation, should have its own bank account and public liability insurance, and the activity must take place in Rother, Wealden, Lewes or Eastbourne
  • Organisations can receive a maximum of three grants in any three-year period, and new applicants are prioritised in line with the aim of supporting early career professionals

What it funds

Time-limited arts activity that is open to the public, has a clear public benefit within East Sussex and supports the East Sussex Cultural Strategy priorities (great cultural experiences available to everyone; growing the cultural and creative economy; cultural tourism offers that celebrate the identity of East Sussex). Specifically:

  • Art exhibitions
  • Art and music events
  • Arts groups
  • Festivals
  • Performances

At least 50% of activity must be in East Sussex excluding Hastings, taking place in Rother, Wealden, Lewes or Eastbourne.

ESAP also aims to support early career professionals to foster new creative activity.

What it will not fund

  • Ongoing costs for running an organisation
  • Activity that has already happened, or activity starting before the panel meets
  • Capital costs
  • Projects that are for profit
  • Activity that supports one person, such as prizes or equipment
  • Fundraising activities or volunteer recruitment
  • Activities promoting religious or political beliefs (faith groups may apply for community activities open to the whole community)
  • Activity in Hastings (at least 50% must be in East Sussex excluding Hastings)

How to apply

  1. Read the online ESAP pages and the ESAP Grant Guidance Notes 2026/2027, and check the eligibility checklist
  2. Discuss your project with your local district arts officer (Rother: lisa.simpson@rother.gov.uk; Lewes and Eastbourne: Sarah.Last@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk; Wealden: Melanie.Powell@wealden.gov.uk)
  3. Complete the ESAP application form (organisation details, project details, risks, public benefit, evaluation, fit with the Cultural Strategy priorities, and a budget showing at least 50% funding from outside ESAP)
  4. Email the form with evidence of public liability insurance to Arts.Officer@eastsussex.gov.uk before the deadline (next: 6 January 2027)
  5. The panel decides (28 January 2027 for the January round); successful applicants receive a grant conditions letter by email to sign
  6. After the project ends, send an evaluation form, invoices covering the grant amount and evidence they were paid to receive the grant

Activity must not start until after the panel meets; applications for activity starting before the decision will be rejected.

Do not send any additional information beyond the form and insurance evidence. Promotion of the event should include the ESAP logo.

Have ready

  • ESAP grant application form
  • Evidence of public liability insurance
  • Charity and company number (registered charities), company number and registered address (CICs), or evidence of the organisation (community or voluntary groups)

After the project: evaluation form, invoices covering the grant amount and evidence they were paid.

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