Culture Together grants fund

The review panel includes a council officer and at least 3 representatives who live and work in Southwark. These will be from inside and outside the arts and culture sector.

The panel will make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for culture. They will review and approve the final decisions. 

This may include the offer of an award that's different to the sum you applied for.

The panel will assess each application against the eligibility criteria and the following questions.

Make sure you include the answers on your application form.

Is the need for the project clear and is it benchmarked against Southwark demographics?

Include:

• whether your organisation or its work is  already representative in your chosen focus area
• the case for deepening your work or celebrating equality / representation / inclusivity (for amplifying projects)
• your case for making change and/or why your activity is needed (for change-making projects)

Does the project demonstrate a commitment to delivering high-quality arts and culture?

Include:

• which creative, arts and cultural activities are the focus of your project
• when, and where the activity will be delivered
• which arts and culture partners and practitioners will be involved

How many people will benefit and in what ways?

Beneficiaries are the unique individuals your project will reach. Include:

• who your main beneficiary groups are, for example audiences, participants, practitioners
• how your beneficiaries will be reached and engaged
• how your beneficiary number has been calculated, for example based on figures for similar projects or estimates informed by partners 

The number of people benefitting from or involved in your activity is only one of the factors the panel will be asked to consider. It may not be the most important factor.

Will the project make a meaningful impact on equality?

Include:

• your project aims and outcomes, and how you will measure progress
• how you expect to progress towards the population benchmarks (for change-making projects)
• your measures for success in celebrating representation and/or deepening your work with your beneficiary group(s) (for amplifying projects)

We recognise that making change and celebrating under-represented voices is a long-term journey and that making a meaningful impact may be incremental.

Does the project provide value for money?

Include how you've calculated your expenditure.

Secondary balancing criteria

These will consider any focus on youth engagement (ages 5 to 19) or climate change.

We aim to fund a larger proportion of change-making projects than amplifying projects.