Two new funds supporting the county’s art, culture and creative sectors have been announced by Essex County Council.

Essex County Council has launched The Creative Industries Development Fund and The Cultural Development Projects Fund. The funds will help to grow and support local talent and the county’s creative industries.

The Creative Industries Development Project Fund will offer grants between £2,500 and £30,000 per annum. Businesses and organisations within the creative industries can apply. These industries include:

•    advertising
•    architecture
•    crafts
•    design and designer fashion
•    film
•    TV
•    radio
•    photography
•    publishing
•    IT, software and computer services, including video games

The Cultural Development Project Fund will also provide grants from £2,500 to £30,000 per annum. It will be open to cultural businesses and organisations. These include museums, galleries and theatres, along with combined and performing arts groups.

Figures reveal that the organisations within the art, culture and film sectors are significant to the county’s economy. In 2025, more than 7,500 creative Essex companies employed over 30,000 people.

Nationally, the creative industries and cultural sector contributed £124 billon in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy in 2023. This is equivalent to 5.2% of the GVA of the whole UK economy.

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “With the creative industries recognised as one of the UK’s growth sectors in the government’s industrial strategy, it’s critical that investment in this sector continues.

“This will allow Essex to benefit from the economic growth opportunities that culture brings and the advantages that access to culture and the arts brings to residents of all ages.”

Both funds will be open from Monday 15 September until Friday 31 October 2025.
For more information about either fund or to apply visit: https://culture-essex.co.uk/funding/