Arts & Business Cymru

Arts & Business Cymru is a specialist Welsh charity, part of the national Arts & Business network, dedicated to forging mutually beneficial partnerships between arts organisations and businesses across Wales. Established to promote philanthropy, sponsorship, and skills sharing, its mission drives cultural and economic progress by building arts sector capacity in fundraising, leadership, governance, and entrepreneurship. With a collaborative ethos emphasising innovation, knowledge transfer, and long-term resilience, it supports arts flourishing for broader community benefits, distinguishing itself through evidence-led partnership brokering rather than traditional grants.

It prioritises capacity-building programmes like CultureStep, which match-funds business sponsorships (up to £1 for every £2 invested, generating significant private leverage as seen in 2024/25's £112,125 across 40 partnerships yielding £527,417 total support); Heritage Forward for heritage resilience via mentoring; and Creative Internships placing graduates as trainee fundraisers. Funding targets arts organisations, heritage bodies, creative graduates, and businesses, with all projects delivering direct public benefit to Welsh communities across Mid, North, South, and West Wales.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or constituted non-profits (including grassroots to large arts/heritage groups) that are A&B Cymru members; individuals via professional associations; arts partners outside Wales if benefiting Welsh residents. No income restrictions apply, but commercial entities are case-by-case. Does not accept unsolicited applications—start with EOI via online form for CultureStep eligibility, followed by full proposal with business partner by quarterly deadlines (next: 27 November 2025, panel 11 December). Typical grants: £1,000–£15,000 per organisation/year (max £15k total), excluding capital/building costs or generic operations. Its match-funding model and Wales-focused ecosystem strengthening set it uniquely apart.