The Love Culture Fund: Information Pack
The Love Culture Fund is a new micro-grants fund from Camden Council, offering £2,000 grants for arts and culture projects and activities benefitting residents and communities in Camden.
The fund runs for two years, with six application rounds and five grants awarded in each round - that’s 30 new projects we’ll be backing across Camden.
We're looking for creative projects that can uplift our communities, spark meaningful connections, create a vibrant, inspiring borough, build a joyful, healthy and enriching environment and strengthen the fabric of Camden for all.
ROUND ONE KEY DATES
The first funding round opens on Monday 11 May 2026, and you’ll have until Monday 8 June 2026 to submit your application. If your first application isn’t successful, don’t worry — you can try again in any later round.
We’re also running three information sessions, one in-person and two online, where you can meet Camden's Culture Team, ask questions about the application process, or chat through your project idea. The session details are listed below.
SCHEDULE OF ROUNDS
UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS
Online Info Session 1: Tuesday 19 May 2026 11am to 12 noon (MS Teams)
Online Info Session 2: Tuesday 2 June 2026 11am to 12 noon (MS Teams)
Join one of the online sessions where the Culture team will introduce the fund, explain the application process, followed by an open Q&A.
In-person Drop-in Advice Session: Wednesday 20 May 2026 between 4pm and 7.30pm at Claudia Jones Room, Camden Town Hall 5 Judd Street WC1H 9JE
Join us at Camden Town Hall to meet the Culture Team, ask questions about the fund, and discuss your project. This isn't a structured event, you can drop-in any time, and when one of the team is available we'll sit down with you for a one-to-one chat about your project.
ABOUT THE FUND
We are interested in supporting projects that can:
Increase participation in culture for residents
Help residents to collaborate, share and celebrate a diverse range of cultural experiences across neighbourhoods
Support communities to be more connected to their neighbourhoods through culture
Offer residents of all ages opportunities to explore their creativity, enhance their wellbeing and develop skills to help progress their careers
Support public spaces, cultural events and community activities to reflect and include a wide range of identities, backgrounds, cultures and perspectives
This could include:
New cultural initiatives co-created with residents and communities
Piloting new activity or embedding/scaling-up/broadening audiences for existing activity
Cultural experiences and programmes that enable equitable access to all
Cultural projects and programmes that contribute to residents' individual and collective health and wellbeing
Events, narratives and creative programmes that contribute to developing a shared story and platform Camden's hidden history and heritage
All projects must have:
Participatory elements and demonstrate targeting and engagement with Camden communities
Clear benefits to the local community, this could be through participation, enjoyment, skills development, health and wellbeing improvements, learning, progression routes
We will be looking for projects that can contribute to the following strategic outcomes:
Create cultural experiences that bring new life to places and enable the development of creative neighbourhoods across the borough
Create the environment for creative and healthy neighbourhoods to thrive
Ensure culture is accessible, affordable, available and inviting to all
Increased and sustained participation and engagement by residents in cultural and creative programmes
Residents are empowered to shape their own environment and encourage a sense of belonging and connectedness through culture
Communities are supported to develop and share heritage to reveal shared stories and histories of the borough and its communities
Residents of all ages have access to a range of learning, skills and work experience opportunities across Camden's cultural and creative sector.
Encouraging career-development opportunities for residents, especially those from under-represented groups.
Develop and strengthen cultural and creative sector networks, facilitating the provision of learning and development.
ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
We recommend that you keep your idea simple and achievable - if your project seems too ambitious for the budget then you are less likely to be successful with your application.
Please attend an info session or speak to us before you apply. We want everyone to have the best chance of submitting a successful application. We find that applicants that seek guidance tend to submit stronger applications. If you can't join one of the in-person or online sessions then you can reach out to us via e-mail at culture@camden.gov.uk for a chat.
APPLICATION FAQ
Who can apply?
You can apply as an individual, a community group or a registered organisation.
If you’re applying as an organisation, your annual turnover must be under £50,000.
Can I submit my application as a voice note or video?
Yes! If it’s easier for you, you can send us an audio or video recording.
Just fill in the first part of the form with your contact details, select the option to submit a recording, and we’ll give you instructions on how to send it to us.
If anything feels tricky, just get in touch and we’ll help you out.
Who cannot apply?
You’re not eligible if you are:
An organisation with a turnover of more than £50,000
A school (as the lead applicant)
An individual or organisation not based in Camden
Can I apply in partnership with another organisation?
Yes — as long as your partner organisation is based in Camden.
One group or person will need to act as the lead applicant, handling all communication and managing the grant.
What types of projects can be funded?
Your project needs to have a strong creative, cultural or arts element. It could include art exhibitions, talks, workshops, clubs, courses, public art, performances.
What types of projects cannot be funded?
We’re not able to fund:
Projects that have already started
Projects finishing after March 2028
Outdoor events
Activities without an arts, cultural or creative focus
Activities taking place outside Camden
Core salaries or general running costs unrelated to the project
Capital works (e.g. building or equipment upgrades)
Which artforms and disciplines are eligible?
Lots! Your project might involve:
In our Cultural Strategy we broadly define the arts as visual arts, performing arts, digital arts, film, theatre, literary and written arts. If you think that your project falls outside of these categories, then feel free to get in touch to check. Projects that mix artforms are very welcome.
What are the safeguarding requirements?
If you’re awarded funding, you'll need to share a safeguarding plan before you start your project. We can support you with this if it's not something that you've done before.
Do I need insurance?
You will need to have a public liability insurance policy to cover your project. You are welcome to use some of the grant to pay for this. We will be able to give you advice in selecting the relevant policy, if needed. You don't need to have this in place before applying, but we will need to see evidence of it before releasing the first grant payment.
When does my project need to take place?
Your project should happen between July 2026 and March 2028.
We encourage you to plan activity that takes place within 6 months of receiving your funding.
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for £2,000 — this is the maximum amount and the amount we expect all applications to request.
Can I apply for less than £2,000?
No — we’d like all projects to use the full £2,000 budget.
Can I talk to someone before applying?
Yes!
For Round 1, we’ll host an in‑person drop-in session and then two online sessions in April. Camden Artist Network members can also speak to us at the Spring Social event in March.
You can also email us anytime with questions.
Do I need to commit any match-funding?
No
There is no requirement to contribute additional funds toward the project budget, but you are welcome to spend more than £2,000 if you have access to further funds.
Can I apply more than once?
You can submit one application per round.
If you've already been funded in a previous round, you can still apply again — but priority may be given to applicants who haven’t received funding before.
How will applications be assessed?
A panel made up of Camden Council officers and local residents will review the applications and make funding decisions.
When will I hear back about Round 1?
We aim to let everyone know the outcome in June 2026.
When will funds be paid?
Funding is released in two payments:
£1,800 once contracts are signed
£200 after your project is completed and your evaluation is submitted
What evaluation is required?
To receive your final payment, you’ll need to send us:
A short evaluation form about your project and its outcomes
Participant data (we’ll provide a template)
A few quotes or reflections from participants
A selection of photos of the activity (with permission for promotional use)