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Festivals Fund

Creative Folkestone is a visionary arts charity dedicated to supporting the regeneration of Folkestone through creative activity. Working with the people of Folkestone, partners and stakeholders we aim to transform the town making it a better place to live, work, visit and study.

Creative Folkestone believes in the power of creativity to transform people, places and communities. We are passionate about this and believe it will inspire others to be curious and imagine a changed future.

As part of this transformation, the two Boards of Trustees of the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust and Creative Folkestone have agreed to establish a Festivals Fund to encourage new festivals and artistic activities centred around Folkestone’s Creative Quarter for the benefit of the community and visitors to the town.

Grants are available up to £5,000. Applications will be considered from arts groups, companies, organisations or sole traders based in the Folkestone area with aspirations to develop new and exciting festivals with community involvement. The festival can be thematic or issue-based but the outcome must be creative and for a live audience. The fund will not support digital projects, one-off exhibitions or performances.

We are taking positive action to achieve equal opportunities in our work and welcome applications from people of any race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, socio-economic background, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. We actively encourage those who feel marginalised or are currently under-represented in the arts to apply.

The selection panel will use the following criteria when assessing applications:

  • An exciting, original, creative idea.
  • Demonstration of a practical and achievable delivery plan.
  • Evidence of community engagement.
  • A realistic approach to finance and evaluation.
  • A sound marketing and PR campaign.
  • A commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

There are three deadlines for applications as follows:

  • 5pm on 1 March 2024 for projects starting between 1 April – 31 August 2024
  • 5pm on 12 April 2024 for projects starting between 1 September – 31 December 2024
  • 5pm on 19 July 2024 for projects starting between 1 January – 31 March 2025

Payments will be issued between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. Please email Tenecia Cox, Box Office Supervisor, Creative Folkestone if you have any questions teneciacox@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Click here to download an application form

Click here to download an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

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