skip to main content

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM
a duet performing on the stage
ACE are making grants available to help those who have been financially impacted gain time to stabilise, think and plan for the future. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The fund is open to those who need grants for:

  • Activity and/or equipment that will help you to sustain your practice and support you in continuing with your work
  • Time to stabilise, think and plan for the future

Musicians applying for the fund will need to demonstrate experience of delivering publicly funded work in the past (for example by bodies such as ACE, local authorities, trusts and foundations etc). However, you do not have to provide a budget on how you would spend this new funding.

Key dates for applications

There will be two rounds of this fund.  You can apply to only one of these rounds.

Round one opens for applications on 9 April 2020 and applicants will need to register by 13 April in order to make an application before the deadline of 12:00 pm (midday) 16 April.

Round two opens for applications on 16 April 2020 and applicants will need to register by 27 April in order to make an application before the deadline of 30 April.

If you apply to the first round you will not be able to apply to the second round, even if ACE are unable to offer you a grant in the first round. The budget will be split equally across both rounds, so it is recommended that you apply to the round that suits your circumstances best.

For more information, including FAQs and key details on how to apply see ACE’s website.

Further sources of financial support

For more resources, including a list of hardship funds and sources for financial advice see our Financial Support page.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Alfred at the drums on his 100th Birthday.

Tribute to Alfred 'Honky' Hall

Alfred 'Honky' Hall, beloved musician, jazz drummer, and percussionist, passed away on 17 August 2024 at his home in Jersey, Channel Islands, aged 102. Alfred was a dedicated member of the MU for 47 years, having joined in 1955.

Published: 20 January 2026

Read more about Tribute to Alfred 'Honky' Hall
A famous, vibrant street in Commercial Court in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. The street is lined with historic pubs, benches and flowers, with umbrellas and neon signs hanging over the alleyway.

Help Shape Support for Music Businesses in Belfast

Music professionals and businesses in Belfast are invited to have their say via a short survey as the Council develops a new free Business Accelerator Programme for the city’s music sector. The deadline for responses is 31 January 2026.

Published: 20 January 2026

Read more about Help Shape Support for Music Businesses in Belfast