Culture Together Grants fund
A fund for projects to make our culture sector more inclusive and sustainable.
After you've applied
Your application will be reviewed by a panel including:
- at least 1 council officer
- at least 3 representatives from inside and outside the arts and culture sector who live and work in Southwark
The panel's recommendations will be presented to the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks & Young People, who is the decision maker.
Scoring
The maximum score for each question is 5 points.
| Score | Criteria |
| 0 – No response / not applicable | Question not answered, or response is irrelevant or incomprehensible. |
| 1 – Poor |
Barely addresses the question or misses key aspects. Very weak or no alignment with grant priorities. No meaningful evidence or examples. Very unclear, poorly written, or disorganised. Major weaknesses that make the proposal unconvincing. |
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2 – Weak
|
Addresses the question only superficially or incompletely. Weak alignment with grant priorities. Minimal evidence or examples provided. Lacks clarity, organisation, or persuasiveness. Significant weaknesses that reduce feasibility or impact. |
|
3 – Satisfactory
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Addresses the question but with limited detail or depth. Partial alignment with grant priorities. Provides some evidence or examples, but vague or underdeveloped. May lack clarity, organisation, or persuasiveness. Moderate weaknesses present. |
|
4 – Very good
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Addresses all major aspects of the question clearly. Good alignment with grant priorities. Provides relevant examples or evidence, though may lack some depth. Well-organised and persuasive overall. Minor weaknesses that do not undermine the proposal. |
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5 – Excellent
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Fully addresses all parts of the question with depth and clarity. Strong alignment with grant priorities and goals. Provides specific, well-supported examples or evidence. Highly compelling, innovative, and demonstrates strong potential for impact. Minimal to no weaknesses. |
We will consider any focus on youth engagement, creative health, or climate change, where an activity meets the main fund criteria and is likely to make a strategic contribution to Southwark’s priorities in these areas.
We aim to fund:
- a larger proportion of change-making proposals
- at least 4 art forms/disciplines
- at least 1 project in each focus area
- projects in at least 5 borough wards
- projects with reach across the borough
If you are successful
You may be offered an award that is different to the sum you applied for.
Once you're offered a grant:
- a council officer will meet with you to discuss the funding agreement, conditions, and payment schedule
- you must submit a report outlining your activity's expected outputs and impact
- based on your grant size and activity duration, we may ask for an interim report at the midpoint of your activity
If you receive a big grant (£10,001-£25,000), you must use Julie’s Bicycle Creative Climate Tools to track the environmental impact of your project.
Funding
You will be set up on the council’s finance system so that you can receive your funding. You will need to work within our Grant funding terms and conditions.
Small grants are typically paid in 2 instalments:
- 80% upfront
- 20% on completion
Big grants often have additional milestones or conditions linked to payments. Usually the instalments are 70%, 20% and 10%.
Evaluation
When the activity is finished, you must submit a final report telling us:
- how the funds were used
- who benefitted
- the outputs and outcomes achieved
We may publicly share successes and challenges identified during evaluation. This is to promote ambition, reflective learning, and celebration of achievement among current and prospective applicants.
If you do not meet the objectives and targets outlined in you application, we might ask you for further information.
If you are not successful
The decision of the panel is final and there is no appeals process, though we can give feedback if you ask for it.