A new source of cultural funding for local organisations and individuals, who would otherwise not receive creative investment, will be launched on Monday 28 April, by Aberdeen City Council.
The Acorn Fund will be open to Aberdeen-based organisations, community groups and individuals, to deliver high quality creative and cultural activity for people living in the city.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: "Engaging in arts and culture is good for your wellbeing. The council's Acorn Fund is a new way to encourage participation in creative activities across the city. This financial scheme is a welcome opportunity to support artists and groups in imaginative cultural activities.”
Grants of up to £2,500 will be available to support eligible activities in Aberdeen such as:
- One-off events – a performance, exhibition or workshop.
- New, one-off pilot cultural projects.
- Test a new cultural programme – this can be as part of a recurring event such as an annual festival.
- The retention of emerging talent and development of established organisations to pilot new projects.
- Activities that reflect the creative and cultural diversity of Aberdeen. This includes programmes by, with or for those with protected characteristics or those living in the most disadvantaged communities within the city.
The application form is available to download via the Cultural Investment 2025 webpage.
The deadline for applications is 12noon on Monday 9 June 2025.
Anyone interested in Acorn funding is invited to attend an online information session at 5.30pm on Thursday 8 May 2025. To book a place, please click on this link.
Alternatively, online individual sessions to support applicants can be arranged by emailing creativefunding@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
The council supports a diverse range of activities from the day-to-day operations of large cultural organisations and venues across the city to small scale projects delivered by individual artists.
The council replaced its grant schemes for arts and culture with the Culture Investment Programme in January 2025.