Ambition for excellence is a £35.2 million programme aimed at stimulating and supporting ambition, talent and excellence across the arts sector in England. The fund aims to realise significant impact on the growth of an ambitious international-facing arts infrastructure, especially outside London.

It aims to contribute to the development of strong cultural places; to grow and develop talent and leadership in the regions and across artforms; give an international dimension to excellent work, and create the highest quality new work including for outdoor and festival contexts

Ambition for excellence will support the creation of work for major national moments that build on the legacy of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, enabling organisations to reach international and national audiences.

Our expectation is that 80-90 per cent of this fund will be committed outside London, to support the Arts Council’s intent to ensure that a minimum of 75 per cent of Lottery funding is committed outside the capital by 2018.

Applying to the fund

Ambition for excellence is a rolling programme, from 28 May 2015 to 27 October 2017, and applications will be received in two stages: an expression of interest followed by an invite to apply.

Applicants can apply for between £100,000 and £750,000, across a period of up to three years.

Organisations eligible to submit an expression of interest include: National portfolio organisations, museums (applying for arts projects) and organisations primarily focused on one or more of the following: creating, producing, distribution and presenting the arts in England. Applications from partnerships can also be made – details of which are found in the Guidance for applicants. 

Anyone thinking of submitting an expression of interest must download and read the Guidance for applicants in full.

You are also strongly encouraged to speak to a member of Arts Council staff before you submit an expression of interest.

Guidance for applicants: Word PDF

Expressions of interest can be made through our online application portal

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-funding/apply-for-funding/ambition-excellence/