The first round of Grants to Arts Project funding has now been awarded, with five awards granted to local organisations and artists in Hull.
After a call out earlier this year, the council was overwhelmed with 29 applications received requesting £106,000, over five times the amount of £20,000 available to allocate.
Following tough deliberations from the decision panel, five local projects were selected to receive grants of between £2,500 and £5,000.
The successful projects are:
- Unthinkable Film Festival – a six-week city-wide celebration of short film and contemporary arts in September and October.
- Broken Orchestra’s ‘The Things We Leave Behind’ – an art installation in a newly repurposed vintage caravan, which contributed to Freedom Festival 2026 with potential to be toured elsewhere.
- Matt Fratson’s ‘Enclosure’ – a community arts and archaeology project exploring how Hull evolved from medieval common land to the modern city. Working with vulnerable adults and socially isolated young people, artists will deliver creative walks and workshops in Newland, St Andrews and Docklands, Southcoates, Sutton and Drypool; combining art, archaeology and local history. Community participation will shape new creative work and a major exhibition at Hull History Centre in spring 2028.
- National Youth Arts Trust’s (NYAT) Hull Youth Theatre 2026 – 2027 – NYAT Hull Youth Theatre is a long-running youth theatre programme based in Marfleet Ward, working with schools, colleges and youth organisations across Hull and the surrounding area. It provides weekly skills training for young people aged 11 to 19 in acting, voice, movement, devising, writing and backstage production, alongside masterclasses from industry professionals, specialist workshops, theatre visits, performance opportunities and one-to-one support for those progressing to drama school or higher education performing arts courses.
- Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA)’S Pop-Ups – a new programme of six free creative workshops for young people in the 2027 Easter school holidays in three Pride in Place neighborhoods across Hull: Boulevard and St Andrew’s Quay, Greatfield and Orchard Park. The activities will inspire and encourage creativity, build confidence, and introduce participants to NAPA and the city’s cultural opportunities.
Cllr Jackie Dad, deputy leader and portfolio holder for culture, said: “We had an incredible response to the first round of funding, it’s fantastic to see so much cultural activity happening in Hull.
“With round two of applications now open, we ask prospective applicants to bear in mind the small pot of £20,000 so we can try to support as many projects as possible going forward.
“The fund is an invaluable resource for local artists and enables many to generate income and attract further investment, its something we’re extremely proud of.”
Grants to Arts is Hull City Council’s long-standing scheme of small grants for arts projects and is highly valued by local artists and arts organisations.
A recent review of the scheme sought feedback from service users and those interested in the arts. The results helped to develop a revised scheme that now in place and aims to ensure it continues to be aligned with council strategy, supporting the city’s cultural vision to promote inclusivity, develop community-led approaches and have measurable cultural impact.
In real terms, the changes mean there are two rounds of funding per year, with the maximum award being £5,000. Applications can be made online and detailed feedback will be given to unsuccessful applicants.
Round two is now open with details available here – Grants to Arts – Project Fund | Arts grants | Hull.