The Arts Council: 2026 Funding Opportunities for Artists and Schools

The Arts Council 2026 Funding Opportunities Schedule Announced
Dates: various

The Arts Council are pleased to share a schedule of funding opportunities for 2026. Funding distributed through Arts Council’s schemes will enable artists to create, make and present their work, and ensure that people can access excellent arts experience across the country.

We have collated a list of funding opportunities including key dates that are relevant to artists with an arts and creativity in education practice and schools/education leaders.

Young Ensembles Scheme
The Young Ensembles Scheme supports groups of young people between the ages of ten and twenty-four.
Opens: Tuesday 27 January | Closes: Thursday 26 February

Creative Schools 2026
The Creative Schools initiative supports schools to put arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives, enhancing their learning experience.
Opens: Tuesday 24 February | Closes: Thursday 30 April

Children and Young People’s Arts Residency
Children and Young People’s Arts Residencies support artists or arts organisations to spend an academic year in residence in a higher education institution that provides qualifications in initial teacher education or early childhood education and care.
Opens: Tuesday 3 March | Closes: Thursday 2 April

Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme
The Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme supports individual artists and organisations to partner with eligible services to develop opportunities for babies and young children to explore and enjoy the arts.
Opens: Tuesday 3 March | Closes: Thursday 2 April

Find out more about the Arts Council’s 2026 funding opportunities here