Allow time to secure funding before a project starts, some grants will not fund projects that have started.

Even small amounts of money are fundamental as match funding to lever larger amounts into the budget. Some funders will only give money if they see that other avenues have been explored and won.

Many funders have a clear set of objectives that those applying need to fulfil, by browsing a website or making a telephone call you will ensure that your school/project fits their criteria. Elements to consider:

• Levels of deprivation
• Special needs of those taking part (excluded, gifted and talented, disabled etc)
• Provision of skills or experiences beyond curriculum
• Rural, isolated geographical position
• Cross generational impact
• Positive outcome for whole community
• Sustainability after initial project

Subscribe to Fundraising for Schools (opens in a new window) for more information and advice . Other websites that may be of help include:  Grants expert (opens in a new window) and  Grants for individuals (opens in a new window) .

Grants and Funds

Below is a list of grants and funds suitable for arts education work. This is not an exhaustive list and you may find sources of funding on other websites that could be suitable.

Awards for Young Musicians

Awards for Young Musicians supports the UK's most talented young musicians (aged 5-18), who, because of financial need, may be prevented from fulfilling their creative potential. Each year awards of between £200 and £2000 are made, based on evidence of musical talent and financial need. Awards for Young Musicians (AYM) (opens in a new window)

BBC Performing Arts Fund

The BBC Performing Arts Fund helps aspiring music-makers and performers looking for a way to get ahead. To date the fund has allocated £2.4m to fund young musicians, from a range of genres, to help them pursue their careers in music. BBC Performing Arts Fund (opens in a new window)

CABE Education Grants

CABE offer education grants of up to £1,500 to support imaginative teaching and learning about architecture and the design and use of buildings and public spaces. Successful applicants will create opportunities to involve pupils, aged from 5-19, in exemplary learning experiences. The deadline for applications is 9th Nov 09. CABE - Education (opens in a new window)

Children and the Arts

The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts is an educational charity committed to helping children experience the arts in a high quality and sustained way. The main funding programme run by the Foundation is called Start, which supports cultural organisations to develop and deliver arts enrichment programmes for primary and secondary school students, particularly who have not accessed the arts or culture before. Children and Arts (opens in a new window)

EMI Music Sound Foundation

EMI Music Sound Foundation is an independent music education charity. Established by EMI in 1997 to commemorate the centenary of EMI Records, they are now the single largest sponsors of Specialist Performing Arts Colleges and have created vital bursaries at seven music colleges to assist music students in need of financial support. EMI Music Sound Foundation (opens in a new window)

Ernest Cook Trust Educational Grants

Grants, which must always be for clearly educational purposes, aim to focus upon the needs of children and young people. Only UK registered charities or not-for-profit organisations may apply and priority will be given to those which represent small regional or local organisations. Areas of interest include: conservation and the rural environment; the arts, crafts and architecture; the encouragement, through education, of young people; and research devoted to these main areas of work. Ernest Cook Trust (opens in a new window)

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK, by funding the charitable activities of organisations (not individuals) that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. Primary interests are in the cultural life of the UK, education and learning, the natural environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate more fully in society. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation (opens in a new window)

First Light Movies Funds

First Light is the UK's leading initiative enabling young people to realise their potential via creative digital film and media projects. It funds and inspires film projects with five to 19 year-olds throughout the UK through a number of youth funding schemes including: The Young Film Fund distributing £1.1 million pounds of UKFC National Lottery cash each year, Mediabox and Second Light. First Light Movies (opens in a new window)

Grants for the Arts

Grants for the arts from Arts Council England, are for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. They are for activities carried out over a set period and which engage people in England in arts activities, and help artists and arts organisations in England carry out their work. Arts Council England Funding and Grants Information (opens in a new window)

Mediabox

Mediabox is a fund for disadvantaged 13 to 19 year olds, offering the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects for film, television, radio, online and multi media platforms. The fund offers a variety of grants ranging from £1,000 to £40,000 to organisations to help create and distribute youth-led projects. Smaller grants are available for individuals. Mediabox (opens in a new window)

Music and Dance Scheme

The Music and Dance Scheme is for boys and girls with outstanding talent in music and dance. The scheme helps parents pay the fees and boarding costs at eight specialist independent schools which are centres of excellence in their field. Children aged eight and over can join the four music schools. Entry into the four dance schools is normally at age 11. DCSF - Music and Dance Scheme (opens in a new window)

Take it Away - Loan Scheme

Take it Away is an Arts Council initiative designed to help more people get involved in learning and playing music. The scheme allows individuals (18+) to apply for a loan of up to £2,000 for the purchase of any kind of musical instrument, and pay it back in nine monthly instalments, completely interest free. Arts Council - Take It Away (opens in a new window)

The Elephant Trust

The Elephant Trust provides grants up to £2,000 for new, innovative arts projects, particularly in the visual arts. Set up to make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds, the Trust is committed to helping artists, small organisations and galleries that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities. Elephant Trust (opens in a new window)