Luton Arts Programme
Luton Council are thrilled to introduce Luton Arts, a two-year arts programme by the Arts and Culture Strategy Group, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Luton Rising and Arts Council England. Read more on the Luton Arts website.
The Luton Arts programme aims to inspire creativity, showcase great work, and support Luton artists, creatives, practitioners through three main parts:
1) Luton Create Fund: Luton Arts will offer different levels of funding to help bring creative ideas to life, including but not limited to visual and performing arts, outdoor arts, film, design, storytelling, comedy, poetry, digital creativity, craft, fashion, heritage, music, community traditions or contemporary youth cultures.
2) Resource Hub: The hub will provide resources and support for anyone in the creative industries, whether you are already working or aspiring to join.
3) Public Events: Luton Arts and key stakeholders will host public events to showcase the incredible talent in the community and bring people together through the arts.
Luton Create Fund
Luton Arts are working with BLCF to administer the Luton Create Fund, commissioning individuals and organisations to deliver grants against a range of priorities.
The Luton Create Fund is designed to bring creative ideas to life across various art forms. These include, but not limited to visual and performing arts, film, design, storytelling, comedy, poetry, digital creativity, craft, fashion, heritage, music, community traditions or contemporary youth cultures. This fund supports the research, development, and delivery of new work aimed at reaching new and diverse audiences in Luton, while also helping artists develop their skills and career.
We especially encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and those new to accessing funding. We aim to ensure a diverse spread of funded projects across Luton.
Photo credit: Alex Warchol
Photo credit: Alex Warchol
There are two strands of funding available:
- Lightning Commissions for individuals, providing £1,000 for new ideas.
- Evolution Commissions for organisations with charitable objectives and individuals, with funds between £5,000 and £20,000.
Within the Evolution Commissions there is funding available for:
- Arts-focused projects.
- Health and wellbeing projects with a creative element.
- Creative projects working with schools.
Lightning Commissions
Please read the Lightning Commissions criteria document here.
Please apply for the Lightning Commissions here.
The deadline for applications is Friday 15th August 2025 at 12pm midday. Please note that late applications may not be accepted.
Evolution Commissions
Please read the Evolution Commissions criteria document here.
If you are applying as an individual for the Evolution Commissions, please submit an Expression of Interest here.
If you are applying as an organisation for the Evolution Commissions, please submit an Expression of Interest here.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest is Friday 26th September 2025 at 12pm midday.
Following the Expression of Interest deadline, and if it is deemed appropriate, a member of the Grants Team may contact applicants to discuss a possible application.
Organisations / individuals with prospective applications which closely align with the fund priorities will be invited to make a full application for funding (subject to available funds).
