Isle of Man Arts Council launches a new £100,000 Extraordinary Events Fund to celebrate 60th anniversary in 2025

  • Applications open on Monday 9th September for the new Extraordinary Events Fund to mark the 60th anniversary of the Isle of Man Arts Council in 2025.
  • £100,000 has been ring-fenced to support new innovative arts events/projects on the Isle of Man in 2025.
  • The first round of applications close on Friday 18th October with successful recipients being informed after the Isle of Man Arts Council meeting on Friday 8th November 2024.
  • The second round of applications close on Friday 17th January 2025 with successful recipients being informed after the Isle of Man Arts Council meeting on Friday 31st January 2025.
  • The Extraordinary Events Fund is an additional source of funding for 2025. All other streams of funding are still open as usual.

A new fund has been announced by the Isle of Man Arts Council for individuals and organisations to create new events and projects on the Island. The Extraordinary Events Fund of £100,000 will be awarded as grants to anyone wishing to arrange creative events and projects during 2025. The fund has been created as part of the celebrations of the Isle of Man Arts Council’s 60th Anniversary, which takes place throughout that year.

The Extraordinary Events fund looks to support innovation by the creation and development of new audience centred events and projects for the Island. Unlike other existing Isle of Man Arts Council funding streams, applicants will be permitted to reinvest any excess income into their future events and creative development.

Applicants are encouraged to use this funding stream to take a risk and use their awards to deliver projects that are not typical to a venue, commission new cultural activities or introduce something completely new to the Isle of Man. All applications must be for new and innovative events and projects, which have not been previously funded by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council, Mrs Sarah Maltby MHK said, ”The Isle of Man Arts Council is excited to see how support from the Extraordinary Events Fund can inspire our creative community to think outside the box and try something new. A healthy vibrant creative community and the opportunity for equal access to the arts is key to making our Island a wonderful place to live.”

There will be four public Extraordinary Events Advice Sessions, which will include a presentation about the fund and time to ask any questions. The first session will be held on Thursday 26th September from 6 – 8pm at the Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas. The second session will be on Thursday 3rd October 6 – 8pm in the Atholl Room at the Centenary Centre, Peel. Two further dates in Ramsey and Port Erin will be announced in due course.

Further information and the Extraordinary Events application form will be available online from 9th September. If you have any queries please email iomartscouncil@gov.im or call 694598 to speak to one of the Arts Development Team.

September 9th - funding applications are now OPEN for the Extraordinary Events Fund - https://iomarts.com/funding