The Cultural Industries Cluster Development Open Call invites proposals for projects to be delivered by individuals, businesses, organisations or consortia which will contribute to the sustainable growth of the cultural industries sector in Tees Valley. Investment in this programme is part of Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies.

Who is it for?

Creative and cultural freelancers, organisations, businesses and consortia working in the cultural industries sector.

How it works

There are three investment pathways in this Open Call –

  • Test & Explore – over £1K up to 10K
  • Mobilise – over £10K up to £150K
  • Scale Up – over £150K up to £350K

Key Dates

Programme opens: 12 noon, 11th October 2022. 

There are TWO application deadlines:

  • 2022 – Deadline for full applications – 12 noon, 28th November 2022
  • 2023 – Deadline for full applications – 12 noon, 17th February 2023

For Mobilise and Scale Up Pathways only, an EOI must be submitted prior to being invited to make a detailed application (see relevant pages for more information).

If you are considering coming in to the second round of the Open Call through the Mobilise or Scale Up pathways please get your Expression of Interest form to us by Friday 27th January. This is the most realistic window to enable you to submit a full application if you are invited to proceed to this stage.

About the Programme

The Cultural Industries Cluster Development Open Call will support projects which:

  • Strengthen business models
  • Foster innovation, collaboration and connectivity
  • Increase regional cultural and creative export
  • Develop, attract and retain skills and talent
  • Grow diversity and representation in the workforce
  • Improve environmental impacts
  • Unlock inward investments

For this Open Call, proposals which respond to the needs of the following sub-sectors will be prioritised:

  • Music
  • Visual Arts
Read More

Useful Links

Webinar

TVCA held a webinar to brief individuals and organisations working in or with the cultural sector on the Open Call and answer any questions on Monday 17th October. The webinar discussed the following:

• Give an overview of the Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies
• Share the investment objectives of the Open Call
• Hold a Q&A for participants, with representatives from the sector.

To watch the webinar back, click the link below.

Watch the webinar here

Presentation

TVCA held a webinar to brief individuals and organisations working in or with the cultural sector on the Open Call and answer any questions on Monday 17th October.

To review the full presentation please click the link below.

Download the presentation here

Investment Pathways

Test & Explore Pathway – More than £1k and up to £10k

For project ideas at an early stage of development. This pathway is designed to support applicants to test, research and refine new ideas and develop ways to deliver your project idea.

Find Out More & Apply

Mobilise Pathway – more than £10K and up to £150K

For ready-for-market projects / programmes with a proven model and clear evidence of ability to achieve successful outcomes.

Find Out More & Apply

Scale Up Pathway – more than £150k and up to £350K

For existing projects, programmes or businesses which are ready to make a significant step-change in reach and impact and which have demonstrable potential benefit for Tees Valley’s cultural industries and creative economy. Proposals will demonstrate an existing, proven model with clear evidence of successful outcomes.

Find Out More & Apply

TVCA Creative Place Investment approach

TVCA has a strategic, region-wide remit and position and is strongly networked across the region and beyond in all business sectors. This enables us to be a powerful convenor to support collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnership working.

TVCA’s Creative Place team isn’t an invisible investor / funder – we work in partnership with the people, organisations and businesses we support. This partnership approach ensures that the Creative Place team is embedded in the sector and responsive to its needs.

The people, organisations and businesses TVCA supports can take advantage of the resources, intelligence and partnerships held within TVCA. This approach aims to ensure TVCA invests in projects which are well connected and embedded across the Tees Valley and learning and knowledge is widely shared.

TVCA’s approach to investment is made with consideration of the most effective way of achieving our purpose – to drive economic growth and job creation. Therefore, our investments in the cultural sector will support organisations in making step-changes and help create conditions for the sector to thrive, rather than the content of creative projects.

Further Information for Applicants

Click here to read the TVCA Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies Executive Summary of our Baseline Research which has informed our approach in developing the Growth Programme.

Click here to find out more about TVCA and the Growth Programme objectives.

Click here to read the TVCA Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies Sustainable Sector Growth Investment framework  which outlines our investment priorities.