Open Small Grants and Festival Enhancement Grants
We have a rolling grants programme offering up to £1,000 for projects aiming to meet FEAST criteria – Open Small Grants and Festival Enhancement Grants. Please note that if you are applying for funding up to £500, no match funding is required; if you are applying for funding between £501 – £1000, a minimum match funding of £500 would be required. This could be in-kind or cash contribution (including projected income).
The next deadline for the two grants is 20th of January 2025, with an expected decision on the 7th February 2025.
The FEAST criteria and the Small Grants process were refreshed in April 2024; we held an online event on the 2nd of May to go through the new application process. You can watch the recording of that event here.
The Application Process
Step 1: Making your Application
All applications must be submitted online via the link above. Please note that the application form will remain closed until six weeks before the submission deadline.
If you require support in filling out the online form, please get in touch via [email protected] at least five working days before the application deadline.
You will be able to save your application and come back to complete and submit it later. Once you have saved your application, you should receive an email notifying you that the application has been saved with a link to go back to your application. Please note that you will need to save your application each time you make an edit.
Once you have submitted your application, you should receive an automated email confirmation with a copy of your application. You will not be able to edit your application after this point, however, if you spot an error – such as an incorrect telephone number – please let us know within 2 working days and we will amend it on your behalf. Please do so by emailing [email protected]
If you are having issues receiving the automated emails, please check:
- that you have entered your email address correctly on the form
- whether the automated emails have gone into your spam/junk folder
If you still have issues, get in touch with us at [email protected]
Step 2: Selection
The selection panel changes for each grant round but will usually consist of at least 4 panellists, including the Director of Creative Communities at Creative Kernow, a member of the Creative Communities Advisory Group a Community Representative and an Artist. The panel will be facilitated by the FEAST Manager.
The decision to fund a project will be based on a majority vote.
The assessment criteria are listed below, and the application questions relating to each criterion are in brackets:
A. Core Criteria
- Quality and Ambition (Q3.1, also Q2.2b for Festivals)
- Authentic and Innovative Community Engagement (Q3.2)
- Great Visibility and Reach (Q3.3 – Q3.7)
- Generosity, Openness and Collaboration (Q3.8 & 3.8a)
- Realistic Delivery (Section 4)
All successful applications must meet all core criteria above, although we accept that all projects are different, and some may satisfy some of the criteria more than others.
B. Additional Criteria (Q3.9 & 3.9a)
We expect projects to meet some of the following criteria, and we will consider the breadth as well as the depth when reviewing how your project might fulfil them.
- Help Achieve Geographical Diversity
- Create Legacy for Communities
- Strive to Sustain
- Connect with the Wider Arts and Cultural Offerings in Cornwall
- Be Rooted in Cornwall
You will find full information on the FEAST criteria in the Criteria Document.
There will not be an interview stage for the FEAST Small Grants process.
Step 3: Outcome and Feedback
All applicants will be informed within five working days after the panel date of the outcome of their application. If you are successful, you will need to sign your grant agreement and send in your first invoice.
As part of the selection process, the FEAST manager will note down comments and feedback from the panel and will be able to provide a feedback summary.