Derbyshire Makes celebrates the past, present and future of making in the county with a variety of county-wide programmes as well as the festival period in the 6 hub towns: Bolsover, Chesterfield, Cromford, Glossop, Heanor and Swadlincote.
The small grant scheme aims to support the creative and community sector to take part in Derbyshire Makes. This could be by hosting events, doing making activities, commissioning new work or projects or just taking part in whichever way you fancy, we're open to lots of ideas.
Aims of the grant
- Increase enjoyment, appreciation, and engagement in all types of making.
- Increase skills in making.
- Encourage more sustainable approaches to making.
The festival is county-wide so we'll accept application for activity anywhere in Derbyshire but we're especially keen to fund work in our 6 hub towns, that we'll be able to showcase during the March to April festival period.
Eligibility
To be eligible:
- all applicants must be a resident or trader with a Derbyshire postal address
- Derby residents and businesses are not eligible to apply, however collaboration with a county business could enable joint working, the county business would need to be the applicant
- all applicants must have a UK bank account
- all applicants must be either a registered company, sole trader or a registered charity, CIC or community group with a dedicated bank account
- available to all working within the creative and community sector excluding those with religious links or any industry which could bring the authority into disrepute
- the grant funding is subject to subsidy control requirements
How much you could receive
Grants of £300 to £2,000 are available.
No match funding is required.
Grants will be assessed for eligibility then assessed by a panel of industry specialists.
What the grant can be used for
The grant can be used for:
- activities focussed on design, craft and visual arts
- activity that celebrates, incorporates or promotes making in Derbyshire
- workshops, training or networking
- walks, talks, performances with a making theme
- high street schemes including window dressing schemes
- creative making sessions - participatory
- infrastructure to support making sessions
- commissioning an artist to work with your group to either make something with the group or learn some new skills
The grant will not cover:
- capital costs
- essential running costs, like statutory obligations, utility bills, wages and salaries, overheads, insurance, tax, basic standard IT (not replacement IT or monthly software subscriptions)
- website domain names and platform costs
- advertising (including radio, vehicle, newspaper, online, social media)
- grants to others
Important points
You can apply at any time but applications will be considered in line with the deadline dates.
There is no right of appeal against the decision.
Grants cannot be applied for retrospectively. A signed grant agreement must be in place before any items that forms part of an application are purchased.
Funded activity will need to meet Derbyshire Makes branding and communications requirements.
We want to ensure that as many people as possible are able to take part and want to ensure that nobody is excluded - so please be mindful of accessibility, equality and inclusion.
We are keen to help promote your event as part of Derbyshire Makes, so applicants will be asked to provide imagery, and narrative such that the activity can be shared and promoted by the programme team.
There is a requirement for the recipient to promote their activity and share widely on social media.
Express your interest
Express your interest in a Creative and Community Grant
All applicants must apply online.
Fifty per cent upfront payment (if conditions aren't met we are able to bill you for this via contract clause 34 in the grant funding agreement). Fifty per cent on project completion subject to monitoring checks.
You can apply at any time but applications will be considered in line with the following deadline dates and you will be notified within 6 weeks:
- 1 September 2025
- 1 November 2025
- 1 June 2026
- 1 September 2026
- 1 November 2026
We will notify you of our decision within 6 weeks of these deadline dates.
Selection process
A small panel will meet to review applications and make decisions. Decisions will be based on the following criteria:
- quality of response - application form answers
- how your project meets grant aims
- priority will be given to activity that contributes or takes place in and around the 6 hub locations (Bolsover, Chesterfield, Cromford (including Wirksworth and Matlock) Glossop, Heanor, Swadlincote
- spread of activity (geographic, activity type) - the panel wants to ensure a diverse and balanced range of activity
- value for money
- ability to deliver the project on time and within budget
Grant payments and requirements
Grants will be paid:
- 50% upfront payment (if conditions aren't met we are able to bill you for this via contract clause 34 in the grant funding agreement)
- 50% on project completion subject to monitoring checks
Final grant claim requirements:
- copies of receipts and proof of expenditure
- completed grant claim form
- monitoring report including audience numbers and participants will be required
Contact us
If you have any queries email regeneration@derbyshire.gov.uk.