We are committed to making the arts more accessible to a wide range of people, and promoting the work and contribution that all artists make to the quality of life in the city.
This is achieved through direct provision of services and by nurturing and promoting the activities of local artists and arts organisations.
Our arts strategy has identified four priorities for us to work with the arts in Cambridge. Our arts development team is responsible for delivering on those priorities and managing external relations with artists and arts organisations in the city.
Arts development activity includes:
- advocating for the arts
- offering advice and support to those working in the arts
- developing council partnerships with artists and arts organisations, agencies and bodies
- assisting in the co-ordination and facilitation of arts activity across the city
- managing community arts projects and programmes
- fundraising for the council's arts and events events programme
Read more about our arts strategy.
Contact
Elaine Midgley
Arts and Events Manager
Arts and Recreation
Cambridge
City Council
PO Box 700
Cambridge CB1 0JH
Telephone 01223 457592
Email elaine.midgley@cambridge.gov.uk
Cambridge Arts Network (CAN)
The Cambridge Arts Network is a forum of professional artists and arts organisations working in Cambridge. CAN meets to debate and discuss key issues that face the sector.
CAN's fortnightly email bulletin helps Cambridge artists and arts organisations share information about jobs, advice, training opportunities and more.
There are also specific forums within CAN, which meet to discuss issues in an informal setting, including an arts marketing forum and a learning and participation forum.
If you are an artist or work for a Cambridge arts organisation, and would like to join CAN and subscribe to the email bulletin please email can@cambridge.gov.uk.
Funding
Voluntary groups who want to run leisure, arts and sports activities for residents in Cambridge may be eligible to apply for leisure funding.
Funding is given for activities which increase formal and informal access for all city residents to cultural and leisure activities.
Priority is given to services which benefit:
- children
- young people
- families living in disadvantaged areas
- people with disabilities
- people whose opportunities are restricted by low income
- people whose opportunities are restricted by discrimination
- leisure services which plan for the impact of the anticipated population growth in Cambridge ("future funding")
There is also one-off funding available for new projects, which also meet the above priorities.
To find out more about whether your project meets our priorities we recommend you first discuss your project with Elaine Midgley, the arts development manager.
Email elaine.midgley@cambridge.gov.uk or telephone 01223 457592.
Our funding programmes are often over-subscribed and funds may be limited, so it is best to contact us before applying.
Find out how to apply for a grant. For more advice about sourcing funding for your arts projects, visit the county council's arts funding pages.
Local arts directories and resources
Cambridgeshire County Council offers a range of information on arts resources, funding, and local services.
The List Live provides a comprehensive directory of artists, arts organisations, community and voluntary arts groups, venues and networks in Cambridgeshire.
Visit Cambridge includes a free online what's on listings service including arts events taking place in Cambridge.
Cambridgeshire.net is a community database that lists over 4500 voluntary organisations, clubs, societies, courses, events, activities and public services in Cambridgeshire.
We're All Neighbours lists local events taking place in Cambridge.
Moving Tone is a listing service of music arts events taking place across the county.
Start is an independent organisation of arts development managers working in south Cambridgeshire to promote a diverse range of arts.
Here are some online listings services for other Cambridgeshire districts:
Regional arts directories and resources
Voluntary Arts Network is an organisation that promotes participation in the arts and crafts across the UK and Republic of Ireland. It produces an email newsletter and contains a range of training, funding and management advice.
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, working to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences.
Arts Council England East is the regional branch of the agency and is based in Cambridge. We will be invited to comment on funding applications submitted to the Arts Council's Grants for the Arts funding programme for activities taking place in Cambridge. It is advisable that you inform the arts development manager about any application that you plan to make before you submit it.
Commissions East is one of the UK's leading public art agencies. It is based in Cambridge and works in partnership with the public and private sectors to "develop and deliver outstanding visual arts projects that define places, unite people and challenge perceptions."
For more information on local, regional and national arts resources, check out Cambridgeshire County Council's arts pages.
