The Biscuit Factory Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £224,434 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: ~25% estimated (4 artist grants awarded quarterly from estimated pool)
• Decision Time: 3 months (quarterly review cycle)
• Grant Range: £1,000 (fixed amount)
• Geographic Focus: North East of England only

Contact Details

• Website: www.thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org (also tbff.org.uk)
• Email: funding@thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org
• Phone: 0191 261 5757
• Address: Newcastle upon Tyne (Ouseburn arts quarter)

Overview

The Biscuit Factory Foundation was incorporated in January 2011 as a registered charity (1141481) dedicated to nurturing and developing the practice and appreciation of visual arts in the North East of England. With an annual income of £255,055 and expenditure of £224,434 (year ending December 2024), the foundation operates as a comprehensive cultural support organization. Led by Chair Ramy Zack (appointed 2011) and supported by 4 trustees and 5 volunteers, the charity receives no government funding and operates with all trustees serving without remuneration. The foundation manages multiple artist and music studios across three sites, operates The Holy Biscuit cultural hub in Newcastle's Ouseburn arts quarter, and provides direct grants to individual artists, musicians, and performers. Recent initiatives include the “Young Artists of the Year” national painting competition and leadership of the annual Ouseburn Open Studios event.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Quarterly Artist Grant: £1,000

• Awarded every three months to one artist or maker
• Complete flexibility in use (materials, studio space, travel, living costs while creating)
• No reports or progress updates required
• Applications reviewed quarterly; unsuccessful applicants encouraged to reapply
• Rolling application basis via email

Biannual Music & Performance Grant: £1,000

• Awarded twice yearly (Winter and Summer)
• Available to musicians and performers
• Same flexibility and no-strings-attached approach
• Rolling application basis via email

Open Contemporary Young Artist Award

• Annual competition for emerging artists
• Sponsored by the foundation in collaboration with The Biscuit Factory gallery

Priority Areas

• Visual arts across all disciplines (painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital, etc.)
• Music and performance arts
• Self-taught and formally trained artists equally welcomed
• Individual artists and makers (not organizations)
• Practitioners living or working in the North East of England
• Emerging and established artists at all career stages
• Creative practice requiring financial support for materials, space, time, or development
• Young artists and youth engagement in the arts

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, the foundation's focus indicates:

• Organizations or groups (grants are for individuals only)
• Artists based outside the North East of England
• Applicants under 18 or over 99 years of age
• Retrospective funding for completed projects (grants support ongoing/future practice)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Ramy Zack (appointed 2011)

The foundation operates with 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Five volunteers support the organization's operations. The foundation maintains a small, focused governance structure aligned with its mission of supporting North East artists directly.

While specific names of other trustees are not publicly listed, the governance structure emphasizes accessibility and community connection, with leadership deeply embedded in the region's cultural sector.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via email to: funding@thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org

Application Requirements:

1. Contact Information: Full name, email, phone number, and postal address (for residency verification)
2. Artist Statement (200-300 words): Introduce yourself and your artistic practice, including your background, mediums you work with, thematic focus, and artistic goals
3. Fund Usage Plan: Explain how you will use the grant funding to support your practice
4. Portfolio Links: Clickable social media and portfolio links (website, Instagram, Twitter/X, Etsy, etc.) that lead directly to your work

The foundation has designed a simple, stress-free application process and emphasizes that polished presentations or formal application language are not required.

Key Advice from the Foundation: “Be authentic—share your story in your own words.”

Decision Timeline

• Applications are reviewed every three months for artist grants
• One recipient is selected per quarter (4 per year)
• Musicians/performers reviewed twice yearly (Winter and Summer)
• Applicants notified after each quarterly review
• Unsuccessful applicants encouraged to reapply in subsequent quarters

Success Rates

The foundation awards:

• 4 artist grants per year (one per quarter at £1,000 each)
• 2 music/performance grants per year (biannual at £1,000 each)

Specific application numbers are not publicly disclosed, but with only 4-6 grants awarded annually, competition is significant. However, the foundation explicitly welcomes reapplications from unsuccessful candidates.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication is actively encouraged. If not selected in one quarter, applicants are invited to apply again in the next quarterly cycle. There are no waiting periods or restrictions on reapplication frequency.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's explicit guidance and stated priorities:

1. Authenticity Over Polish: The foundation specifically states they prioritize authenticity and personal voice over formal presentation. “Be authentic—share your story in your own words” is their primary advice. Applications don't need professional polish.

1. Clear Passion and Dedication: Selection criteria emphasize “strong passion for your artistic practice” and “evidence of artistic dedication.” Your commitment to your work matters more than credentials.

1. Concrete Fund Usage Plan: While the grant offers complete flexibility, successful applications clearly articulate how the funding will support creative practice—whether for materials, studio space, workshops, or even living costs while creating.

1. Portfolio Evidence: Accessible, viewable links to your work are essential. The foundation looks for evidence of your practice through social media, websites, or online portfolios.

1. Regional Connection: Demonstrating genuine connection to the North East of England (living or working in the region) is a core eligibility requirement.

1. Inclusive Approach: The foundation explicitly welcomes artists of all backgrounds, whether self-taught or formally trained, working in any artistic discipline. Don't self-select out.

1. No Reporting Requirements: The foundation's “no strings attached” approach—with no reports or check-ups after award—indicates they trust recipients to use funds appropriately. This suggests they value artist autonomy and don't require prescriptive project plans.

1. Persistence Pays: With active encouragement to reapply if unsuccessful, demonstrating ongoing commitment through multiple applications may be viewed positively.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think individual, not organizational: These grants support individual artists and makers only, not arts organizations or collectives
• Geographic eligibility is strict: You must live or work in the North East of England—no exceptions
• Simplicity wins: A 200-300 word authentic statement beats an over-polished formal application every time
• Flexibility is genuine: The £1,000 can be used for anything supporting your practice, including living costs while creating
• Portfolio presence matters: Ensure your online presence (social media, website) is accessible and current before applying
• Don't give up: With quarterly cycles and explicit encouragement to reapply, unsuccessful applicants should try again
• Timing is rolling: Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly, so apply whenever you're ready rather than waiting for a deadline
• No formal training required: Self-taught artists are explicitly welcomed alongside those with formal qualifications

References

• The Biscuit Factory Foundation official website: https://www.thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org/
• Artist Funding page: https://www.thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org/artist-funding.html
• Performer Funding page: https://www.thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org/performer-funding.html
• About Us page: https://www.thebiscuitfactoryfoundation.org/about-us.html
• Charity Commission Register entry: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5016846
• The Biscuit Foundation website: http://tbff.org.uk/
• Companies House record: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07506427
• Giving is Great charity factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1141481

Information