Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)
Offered by Arts Council of Wales
Who can apply
Open to individual artists and creatives in Wales who identify as Ethnically and Culturally diverse, D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, which the Arts Council defines in detail on the page. Music and Opera is one of the supported art forms. You need demonstrable experience as an artist or creative professional, though a portfolio, CV or work samples can substitute and funding may be awarded on artistic potential. The fund is for career and professional development, NOT for making new work or delivering projects: mentoring, coaching, training courses, peer learning, networks, business, marketing and website development, equipment and setting up an organisation all qualify. An Expression of Interest is compulsory before you can submit, by email to creativesteps@arts.wales, and the EOI cut-off for the 3 March 2027 deadline is 10 February 2027, both at 1pm. Discussing the application with a Relationship Manager is also compulsory. Allow a minimum of 12 working weeks between the deadline and your project start date, since work already under way cannot be funded. You can receive Creative Steps at most twice, and you cannot apply if you have previously had a Create or Create and Engage grant unless your circumstances have changed.
About this opportunity
Creative Steps for Individuals is the Arts Council of Wales scheme for artists who have hit barriers getting into or on in the arts. It is open to individual artists and creatives in Wales who identify as Ethnically and Culturally diverse, D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, and Music and Opera is one of the supported art forms. You need demonstrable experience as an artist or creative professional, though a portfolio, CV or examples of your work can stand in, and the Council says it may fund on artistic potential alone.
Be clear what it does not pay for: this is career and professional development, not making or delivering work. Creating an album to sell would not qualify; working with a mentor to develop your playing would. Typical uses are mentoring and coaching, training courses short of formal education, peer-to-peer learning, building networks, business, marketing and social media advice, website and promotional materials, equipment that professionalises your practice, and setting up a new organisation. Budgets should include your own time, freelancer fees at standard industry rates, access costs and caregiving costs.
Grants run from £500 to £7,500 plus access costs, covering up to 90% of the development cost, with the remaining 10% from a non-Arts Council of Wales, non-Lottery source in cash or in kind. Payment comes in three stages: 45% on acceptance, 45% midway, 10% on the completion report.
Two process points catch people out. An Expression of Interest is compulsory before you may submit, and so is a conversation with a Relationship Manager. Allow at least 12 working weeks between the deadline and your start date, because work already under way cannot be funded. You can receive Creative Steps twice at most.
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Frequently asked questions
- When is the deadline for Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)?
- The current deadline is March 3, 2027.
- Who offers Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)?
- Arts Council of Wales runs it, from Wales, United Kingdom.
- What funding or support does Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales) offer?
- GBP 500 to GBP 7,500, plus access costs. The grant can cover up to 90 percent of the development cost; the remaining 10 percent must come from a non-Arts Council of Wales, non-National Lottery source and can be cash or in-kind. Paid in three stages: 45 percent on acceptance, 45 percent at the midway point, 10 percent on approval of the completion report.
- Who can apply for Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)?
- From the funder's description, it's aimed at artists. Open to individual artists and creatives in Wales who identify as Ethnically and Culturally diverse, D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, which the Arts Council defines in detail on the page. Music and Opera is one of the supported art forms. You need demonstrable experience as an artist or creative professional, though a portfolio, CV or work samples can substitute and funding may be awarded on artistic potential. The fund is for career and professional development, NOT for making new work or delivering projects: mentoring, coaching, training courses, peer learning, networks, business, marketing and website development, equipment and setting up an organisation all qualify. An Expression of Interest is compulsory before you can submit, by email to creativesteps@arts.wales, and the EOI cut-off for the 3 March 2027 deadline is 10 February 2027, both at 1pm. Discussing the application with a Relationship Manager is also compulsory. Allow a minimum of 12 working weeks between the deadline and your project start date, since work already under way cannot be funded. You can receive Creative Steps at most twice, and you cannot apply if you have previously had a Create or Create and Engage grant unless your circumstances have changed.
- How do I apply for Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)?
- You apply on the funder's own site. The link is on this page: with a free GrantGigs account for deadlines in the next 30 days, or with Pro for later ones. If applications are new to you, our guide on how to apply for music grants walks through the whole process. Read the guide →
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Creative Steps for Individuals (Arts Council of Wales)