COVID-19 Bid-writing assistance

Free bid-writing advice available for Luton-based creatives

An update from Luton Council, University of Bedfordshire, Culture Trust Luton, Revoluton Arts, Tangled Feet and UK Centre for Carnival Arts.

Strategic members of the Luton Arts & Culture Strategy Group are offering support, advice and mentoring to Luton-based creatives applying for COVID-19 emergency funds and commissions. Accessed via in-kind support through the University of Bedfordshire’s TestBeds Arts Enterprise Zone, this assistance is specifically designed to assist those financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

The following assistance is available:

• One-to-one bid-writing advice over the phone, Skype or Zoom
• Proof-reading of drafted applications
• A crowd-sourced resource of the funds currently available for application
• General information regarding the government assistance that may be available to you
• General advice and support for those feeling the impact of the crisis.

There are a number of funds currently open for applications including Arts Council England, The British Film Institute and the Bedford & Luton Community Foundation, as well as a number of commission opportunities. We will do our best to support with any relevant fund.

To access advice and support please email the TestBeds Arts Enterprise Zone through the University’s Arts and Culture team’s email address: culture@beds.ac.uk. A member of the team will get back to you within two-three (2-3) working days. Please be patient, the University and other members of the group are working on a number of key priorities across the county.

This partnership-held service will run for as long as we are able to offer the support. Please note that we may have to suspend the service without notice if we are taken ill or moved to work in other essential services.

Note that whilst we will do our best to interpret the guidelines of funds, we cannot be held accountable for the advice given. Any advice given in regards to the latest government support packages available will always be accompanied with a recommendation to contact the relevant government service.

Contact: culture@beds.ac.uk