Cultural Activity Fund opens to support local festivals and creative projects

A new £50,000 fund has been launched to support festivals and events across the Lancaster district.

The Cultural Activity Fund has been created by Lancaster City Council and is designed to help local organisations, artists and community groups bring forward projects that celebrate culture, creativity and local identity.

Successful projects can apply for up to £5,000 per activity, helping to make events and creative projects happen that might not otherwise be possible. Projects can include everything from performances, exhibitions and festivals to participatory arts, heritage activity and creative workshops, provided they are locally focused and open to the community.

Councillor Martin Bottoms, Cabinet member with responsibility for arts, culture and festivals, said: “The purpose of the Cultural Activity Fund is to back the creativity that already exists in our communities and help local people turn good ideas into reality.

“Whether it’s a small cultural event, a creative commission or a community-led project, we want to support initiatives that bring people together and make arts and culture more accessible.”

As part of the application process, groups will be asked to demonstrate how their project supports inclusion, sustainability and community participation.

Applications should also demonstrate how they align with the council’s wider priorities, such as increasing visitor numbers, boosting engagement and supporting volunteering opportunities.

More details of how to apply are available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/caf. The deadline for applications is June 12 2026.

Last updated: 12 May 2026