ACE extends Creative People and Places programme

Arts Council England (ACE) has extended its 2022-25 Creative People and Places (CPP) for one year in response to "challenges facing organisations following the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living". 

The current programme's end date is now 31 March 2026, with a knock-on for the subsequent investment round, which will run across 2026-29 rather than 2025-28.

ACE said it wanted to remain “flexible and responsive” to the sector's needs and hoped that the extension would provide "security and stability" to existing CPP projects and "further time for developing plans" for those interested in applying to the next round.

Current CPPs must apply for the extension year in early 2024 when applications open. They can apply for their current level of funding level, pro-rata.

The CPP programme is funded by the National Lottery and distributes £38m to selected locations across England. Funded projects are part of ACE’s National Portfolio.

Applications for the next round of funding in 2026-29 will open in Autumn 2024, with organisations in 142 previously announced locations eligible to apply.