Arts and cultural organisations in England will soon be able to apply to join the National Portfolio and contribute to creative and cultural provision across the country.

In support of its new strategy, ‘Let’s Create’, Arts Council England is preparing to open applications to arts organisations, museums and libraries across England to join the National Portfolio.

Portfolio organisations will receive regular funding in exchange for engaging communities, collaborating with others and producing high quality, engaging work.

Organisations must deliver on at least one of the following outcomes, with those that receive the most investment expected to deliver on multiple:

• Creative People – encouraging widespread participation in creative activities.
• Cultural Communities – promoting social cohesion and improved physical and mental wellbeing across local communities.
• A Creative and Cultural Country – embracing innovation, collaboration and diversity to build a robust and resilient cultural sector.

Applicants must be able to clearly demonstrate that their aims within the context of the application are around creativity and culture. The lead organisation should be constituted as follows:

• Limited companies or limited liability partnerships registered at Companies House.
• Community Interest Companies (CIC) registered with the CIC regulator.
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), charitable companies or charitable trusts registered with the Charity Commission.
• Partnerships established under a partnership deed governed by the Partnership Act 1890 or the Limited Partnerships Act 1907.
• Community benefit and co-operative societies regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• Royal Charter bodies.
• Statutory bodies and other public bodies including Universities and Local Authorities who run cultural services.

Full guidelines will be available on the Arts Council England website in January 2022.

Applications will be open from 14 February 2022 until midday on 26 April 2022.