Applying for a DYCP Grant - Training Session

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Peterborough Culture Forum, supported by Peterborough Cultural Alliance, regularly hosts training for local artists and arts organisations. To keep up to date with these, sign up for our online newsletter.

Tuesday 15 October, a group of 14 creative practitioners from in and around Peterborough met on a Zoom call to attend an online workshop: Applying for a DYCP Grant led by Jessica Cheetham.

During the 90-minute workshop, Jessica guided participants through the process of putting together an application for a DYCP grant.

A video of the online workshop is available to view here for a limited time.

Please note: The IP of this presentation is the property of Jessica Cheetham and should not be reproduced, copied or re-presented in any other format or platform.

 

The online workshop explored the following points:

  • What is needed for basic eligibility for the grant, and how to meet DYCP requirements.

  • The Grantium application portal.

  • Application templates.

  • Important dos and don’ts when writing or submitting an application.

  • The structure of an application and each question applicants are asked.

  • Case studies.

  • Questions on the call.

Below are some of the facts and figures, and link, added to the chat of the meeting.

 

The DYCP Grant:

Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) is a funding stream by Arts Council England (ACE), supporting cultural and creative practitioners who want to make a step change in their creative careers, developing their skills and networks. The program offers funding for creative and cultural practitioners – including individuals and small groups – in England. Applicants can apply for funds between £2,000 and £12,000

However, there is an extensive application process for this funding. The success rate for applicants varies, but here are some examples and statistics:

  • In Round 20 (2024), the success rate was 18.16% with 400 individuals succeeding out of 2,203 eligible applications.

  • Round 19 (2023) had an 18.9% success rate with 434 successful applications out of 2,294 eligible applications.

  • Round 17 had 401 applicants granted funding out of 1,944 applications – a 21% success rate.

  • 2019/2020 had a success rate of 17%.

  • Round 12’s success rate was boosted to 23% to deal with increased demand.

  • Applicants from London are the least likely to receive funding, with a success rate of 14%.

The DYCP program is competitive because it focuses on creative practice, not on realizing a project with a public benefit.

Useful Links From The Workshop:

 

Thank you to Jessica Cheetham for planning and delivering this training session, and for everyone who attended and contributed to this very useful session.

If you would like more support in reviewing your DYCP application from Jessica, please contact her by email at jessica@spunglasstheatre.com.

Jessica Cheetham bio:

Jessica Cheetham is a freelance fundraising consultant and received a DYCP for her own practice in 2023, exploring diversity in Early Years performance making, building her networks and supporting her to undertake research and take part in an international festival.

Jessica is Development Manager at De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea, leading on grant fundraising and individual giving. Jessica is also Chair of Trustees at Spun Glass Theatre, a theatre company based in Hastings. She has also worked since 2015 as a freelance personal access support worker for Arts Council England, supporting disabled and neurodivergent artists to apply to Project Grants and DYCP.