Community Grant

Applicant Information Sheet (For groups and individuals applying for funding)

Event date: Saturday 25 April & Domenica 26 Aprile
Evento: Shakespeare Birthday Celebration (community-led performances, parata, and workshops)
Funding available: Small grants to help community groups/individuals deliver activities as part of the celebration max £300

1) What is this fund for?

We are offering funding to support community groups, schools, artisti, and local organisations to help make Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration on25 & 26 Aprile something joyful, creative, and welcoming.

The fund is designed to help cover the practical costs of taking part — so that brilliant ideas can happen without groups being out of pocket.

2) What kind of activities can be funded?

We welcome proposals that bring people together and create a festival feel. Ideas include (but aren’t limited to):

Performances

  • Short scenes, monologues, spoken word, readings
  • Cori, bande, drumming groups, dance groups
  • Youth showcases
  • Shakespeare-inspired or themed work (modern interpretations welcome)

Sfilata / procession contributions

  • Costumes, banners, props, lanterns
  • Musical walking groups / drumming / street performance
  • Community groups joining in with a themed entry

Workshops and drop-in activities

  • Drama / voice / movement / storytelling
  • Costume-making, mask-making, crafts, prop-building
  • Creative writing, poetry, bookmaking
  • Family-friendly “have-a-go” sessions
  • Inclusive and accessible activities (strongly encouraged)

3) Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from:

  • Community groups, charities, voluntary organisations
  • Arts/heritage/cultural groups
  • Individual artists/creatives (where appropriate)

We especially welcome applications that involve:

  • Children and young people
  • Older residents
  • People who face barriers to participation (cost, access needs, isolation)
  • Underrepresented communities
  • Intergenerational or cross-community activity

4) What can the grant pay for?

Funding can be used for reasonable costs directly linked to delivering your activity, such as:

  • Materials (craft supplies, costume/prop materials, printing)
  • Performer / workshop leader fees (where appropriate)
  • Equipment hire (e.g., small PA, instruments, tables)
  • Travel costs (local, essential travel only)
  • Accessibility costs (e.g., extra support workers, adapted materials)

Funding cannot be used for:

  • Costs not connected to the event
  • Alcohol
  • Major capital purchases

5) How much funding is available?

Grant size: £300
We aim to fund a mix of smaller and larger activity proposals to create a varied programme.

If you’re not sure what to ask for, submit your best estimate — we can discuss and adjust.

6) Key delivery expectations (if you are funded)

If successful, you will be expected to:

  • Deliver your agreed activity on Sabato 25 April or Sunday 26 Aprile 2026
  • Provide a basic risk assessment
  • Hold appropriate insurance where required (or discuss alternatives with us)
  • Follow safeguarding expectations if working with under-18s/vulnerable adults
  • Share a short post-event update (a few sentences + photos if permitted)

If you have any questions please email Kate on slateeventuk@gmail.com

Applications Close March 15th 2026

We will notify you of your success by March 19th 2026.

Thank you to Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and Heritage & Culture Warwickshire (HCW) and Stratford Town Trust for making this possible.

Please Apply Here