→MANCHESTER ARTIST BURSARY 24/25

In late 2024, we launched the Manchester Artist Bursary on behalf of Manchester City Council, providing financial support for artists and creatives living in Manchester.

Any resident in the borough of Manchester could apply for up to £100 to support with access to training, events, or resources needed to develop their practice. Professional and non-professional artists and creatives working in all areas of the arts were welcome to apply. We based our assessments of the applications on an eligibility scoring system, in order to give support to the broadest range of residents across wards, ages, and backgrounds.

We received 84 applications from residents across 26 Manchester wards, ranging in age from 18 to 70. In total, 33 artists and creatives received a bursary.

The bursaries helped people buy materials and equipment, access training and makerspaces, develop new work and build their skills and confidence. Recipients told us that the support enabled them to do things they otherwise could not have afforded, from private dance lessons and scriptwriting courses to printing facilities, art materials and research for new work.

Feedback also showed that the simple and accessible application and payment process mattered. Every respondent who answered the question said they would recommend the bursary to others.

Read our blog, How Far Can 100 Quid Go?, for reflections on what the bursary made possible and what we learned from running it.