GMCA Inspire Fund

The GMCA Inspire Fund provides grants of £500 to £2,000 for freelance and independent artists, and small organisations across Greater Manchester. Following extensive consultation highlighting the need for focused, small investment into the creative sector after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) established the Culture Fund to support the regrowth and strengthening of the creative sector in Greater Manchester. The fund is designed to support Greater Manchester-based freelance artists, independent creatives, artists, musicians, and performers, as well as small creative arts organisations with less than £100k turnover. Eligible projects include those involving music, craft, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, heritage, dance, photography, equipment, instruments, small capital expenditures, room and space hire (but not solely), and course fees for practice or area-specific training. The fund ran through 5 rounds from 2024 to 2026, with all projects required to be completed by April 2026. The fund is managed by Salford CVS on behalf of 10GM.