Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £30+ million (multi-year funding allocation)
• Success Rate: Heavily oversubscribed (specific rates not published)
• Decision Time: 8-10 working weeks
• Grant Range: £500 - £100,000+ (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Wales only

Contact Details

• Website: www.arts.wales
• Email: comms@arts.wales
• Phone: 03301 242 733
• Grants Portal: portal.arts.wales
• General Grants Email: grants@arts.wales

Overview

Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) is the national development agency for the arts in Wales. As a registered charity (1034245), they distribute funding through National Lottery and Welsh Government sources, supporting organisations and individuals across Wales. Led by CEO Dafydd Rhys and Chair Maggie Russell, the organisation operates under a 2024-2034 strategy focusing on five key priorities: prioritise, identify, take action, simplify, and career development. The Arts Council's Investment Review allocates multi-year funding to portfolio organisations based on six core principles, supporting the development of a vibrant arts sector across Wales.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Create & Engage: National Lottery funding for arts development and creation projects (small grants rolling, large grants fixed deadlines)
• Creative Steps for Individuals: Up to £7,500 plus access costs for career development (fixed deadlines, for those from underrepresented backgrounds)
• Creative Steps for Organisations: £500 - £75,000 for organisational development (fixed deadlines, for organisations led by people from underrepresented backgrounds)
• Arts, Health and Wellbeing Fund: £500 - £50,000 for health-focused arts projects (fixed deadlines)
• Multi-year Funding: Substantial core funding for established organisations (periodic Investment Reviews)
• Go and See Fund (Creative Learning): Up to £1,000 for teachers in state-maintained schools to take learners to arts events (covers up to 90% of costs)
• Capital Investment: Up to £8 million available for infrastructure projects (competitive process)
• Festivals Programme: Up to £100,000 for focused, time-limited festivals delivering high-quality arts programmes
• Research & Development: Up to £30,000 for ambitious new work creation
• Developing Creative Practice: Up to £10,000 for individual artists' experimentation and skills development

Priority Areas

Based on their six core principles:

• Creativity: Art should connect people, challenge thinking, and bring joy and hope
• Widening Engagement: Reaching underrepresented communities and removing barriers to engagement
• Welsh Language: Arts experiences available in Welsh and bilingually
• Climate Justice: Environmental sustainability and socially responsible practice
• Nurturing Talent: Career development pathways from all backgrounds with fair pay for creative professionals
• Transformation: Innovation, risk-taking, and organisational resilience

What They Don't Fund

• Film projects (refer to Ffilm Cymru Wales)
• Music recording and distribution focused projects (refer to PRSF or Help Musicians UK)
• International travel (for Creative Steps programmes)
• Projects already started or with start dates before assessment completion
• Full project costs (require minimum 10% match funding for most programmes)
• Schools (except through specific Creative Learning programmes like Go and See Fund)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Maggie Russell (appointed April 2023, reappointed February 2026) - Over 40 years experience at all levels of the arts, cultural heritage and creative industries in Welsh, UK, and international contexts. Previously ran the drama team at BBC Wales and held senior management positions including head of talent and head of on screen diversity.

CEO: Dafydd Rhys (appointed October 2022) - Vision focused on making “the arts central” to Welsh society. Previously Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre with distinguished career in Welsh broadcasting.

Executive Leadership Team:

• Lorna Virgo - Director, Finance and Business Services (joined October 2024)
• Catryn Ramasut - Director of Arts (joined October 2024) - Brings 25 years of experience in creative industries, committed to creating “a vibrant, inclusive future” for Welsh arts

The Council meets six times yearly with members appointed by Welsh Government (unpaid except for Chair).

How to Apply to Arts Council Of Wales (cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru)

How to Apply

• Online portal: portal.arts.wales for most funding streams
• Pre-application discussion: Mandatory for Creative Steps (must speak to Development Officer)
• Minimum lead time: 8 working weeks for most programmes (10 weeks for large grants)
• Supporting documents: Budget template, artistic CV (individuals), project proposal

Decision Timeline

• Standard processing: 8 working weeks from submission or deadline
• Large grants: 10 working weeks minimum
• Arts, Health and Wellbeing (over £50,000): 12 working weeks from deadline
• Appeals process: Initial review within 16 calendar days, full panel within 28 days if granted

Success Rates

Arts Council Wales experiences “exceptionally high demand” and expects funds to be “heavily over-subscribed” - specific success rates not published.

Reapplication Policy

• No mandatory waiting periods for most programmes
• Multiple funding streams available - unsuccessful applicants can apply to other programmes
• Appeals process available with independent review
• Creative Steps limit: Maximum 3 successful applications per individual or organisation (lifetime limit)

Application Success Factors

Key Assessment Criteria

“Applications are assessed against published criteria and the quality of your artistic proposal, with ACW only able to support applications that present the most compelling and persuasive case.”

Artistic Quality: Innovation and strength of creative team with “appropriately paid opportunities for freelance creatives”

Project Management: “Strength of the project management and financial plans to ensure public funds are used appropriately”

Strategic Alignment: Support for “equalities, diversity, Welsh language, climate justice, nurturing creative talent and/or promoting sustainability”

Impact: “Potential impact both now and in the future, and benefit to others, particularly those underrepresented”

Application Strengthening Tips

• Partnership working: “The best projects happen when partners are involved”
• Clear progression narrative: Articulate “why this is the right time” for funding and how it addresses barriers
• Sufficient timeline: Build in adequate time for delivery, promotion, and audience development
• Match funding: Demonstrate 10% non-ACW income (can be in-kind or cash) for most programmes
• Fee confirmation: Include confirmation from named collaborators of their involvement and fees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Align with the six principles - especially creativity, transformation, widening engagement, Welsh language, climate justice, and nurturing talent
• Demonstrate partnership working - ACW expects collaboration with other individuals/organisations, particularly for Arts, Health and Wellbeing Fund
• Plan adequate timelines - submit well before deadlines with realistic delivery schedules (8-10 weeks minimum lead time)
• Show progression impact - clearly articulate career/organisational development benefits
• Include Welsh language elements where appropriate - this is a strategic priority
• Budget professionally - use their templates and include appropriate fees for creatives
• Engage early - contact Development Officers for Creative Steps programmes before applying
• Match funding requirement - most programmes require at least 10% from non-ACW/National Lottery sources (can be in-kind)

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn
• Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust
• Gwendoline And Margaret Davies Charity
• Anthem. Music Fund Wales
• Colwinston Charitable Trust
• Powys Welsh Church Fund
• The County Council Of Dyfed Welsh Church Fund
• Cardiff Ymca (1910) Trust
• Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
• The Federation Of Museums And Art Galleries Of Wales

References

• Arts Council of Wales official website and funding pages (arts.wales) -
• Arts Council Wales Investment Review 2023 results and multi-year funding announcements
• Arts Council Wales Annual Reports and charity commission filings (Charity 1034245)
• Arts Council Wales strategy documents 2024-2034 and six core principles
• Funding programme guidelines and assessment criteria from Arts Council Wales website
• Arts Professional coverage of Arts Council Wales funding announcements and policy changes
• Welsh Government funding announcements and Arts Council Wales budget allocations
• Welsh Government written statements on Chair appointments and reappointments