Leeds Cultural Investment Programme 2025/2026 is now open
The 2025-26 programme Leeds City Council's Leeds Cultural Investment Programme of arts and cultural activity funding is now open for applications.
The aim of the scheme it to provide financial support for individual artists or cultural, voluntary and community organisations to create new opportunities for residents from across the city to engage in cultural activity as a participant, attendee or creator.
With this fund we want to embrace and celebrate the differences in our communities, invite artists to improve the quality of life experiences, and build respect, cohesion and coexistence between and within communities and individuals, ensuring that culture can be created and experienced by everyone.
This programme is to build on the legacies of LEEDS 2023, support new activity, encourage Leeds artists, producers, and creative partners to make larger scale work across the city and provide leverage to enable them to draw in additional funding for cultural projects and to Leeds. We are keen to support activities that reflect the creative and cultural diversity of Leeds. This includes activities by, with or for those with protected characteristics and those living in the most disadvantaged areas of the city.
For 2025-26 there are two funding strands, Inspire and Grow:Project.
Inspire
Small, agile and easily accessible grants for one off projects and activities. From £500 to £2,000 per application. Application deadline is Tuesday 27th May 2025. Find out more here.
Who can apply?
Individuals registered as living in Leeds
Cultural and creative organisations registered in Leeds
Community or voluntary groups to run a non-profit cultural project
Commercial (for-profit) organisations to run a non-profit free-to-access cultural project
Groups of organisations or individuals working in partnership. One organisation or individual will need to take the lead and have the responsibility for managing the application and being accountable for any grant given. We expect that a form of partnership agreement will be in place if your application is successful.
Grow:Project Round 1
Grants for one-off large scale and artistically ambitious projects. Grants are available from £4,000 to £8,000. Current application deadline is Monday 12 May 2025. Find out more here.
Round 2 of Grow: Project will be launched in October 2025 with a closing date for applications of mid-November 2025.
Who can apply?
Individuals registered as living in Leeds
Cultural and creative organisations registered in Leeds
Community or voluntary groups registered in Leeds to a non-profit cultural project
Commercial (for-profit) organisations registered in Leeds to run a non-profit free to access cultural project
Groups of organisations or individuals, registered in Leeds, working in partnership. One organisation or individual will need to take the lead and have the responsibility for managing the application and being accountable for any grant given. We expect that a form of partnership agreement will be in place if your application is successful.
Find out more about Leeds Cultural Investment Programme on the website here. Or email culturalgrants@leeds.gov.uk.