Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

We’ve extended our grant application advice to now cover Developing Your Creative Practice applications, as well as continuing to offer advice on ACE National Lottery Project Grants.

Arts Council England (ACE) re-opened the Project Grants in July 2020, and are accepting applications until March 2021, with an overall budget of £75m to be allocated. The Developing Your Creative Practice’ (DYCP) fund is open until 2021, with a budget of £18m.

Naturally, many freelance musicians are looking to replace lost income due to Covid-19, but not all musicians feel confident about navigating through the funding process.

Advice on your drafted applications

The MU is offering support for members who are applying for Project Grants or to the DYCP fund. Once you have finished drafting your application form, you can send it to us in order that an independent funding advisor can check it prior to you submitting it.

This process will help to ensure that you have answered all of the questions and haven't omitted any vital information. Feedback and pointers will be given on a question-by-question basis to help strengthen your application.

The feedback won't be creative or comment upon the viability of your ideas – it is primarily to ensure that the application form has been completed satisfactorily. This will be particularly useful for those new to the funding process, but will also be beneficial to those who have some experience with ACE or other funders.

Applications you would like to be reviewed should be sent to funding@theMU.org.

If you’re considering applying to the DYCP fund, you may find our recently published “A Guide to the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ Fund,” article by Jess Partridge a useful source of advice.

You may also find our “Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant,” article by Jess Partridge a useful source of advice.

For more information, or for feedback on your application, e-mail funding@theMU.org.