Fundraising Masterclass


Workshops That Teach Artists How to Apply for Arts Funding


Your creative journey starts here —

Alira Arts runs fundraising workshops and masterclasses that teach artists and arts organisations how to apply for arts funding. Our fundraising courses support individual artists, charities, and creative organisations to develop strong grant applications, understand funding criteria, and build sustainable fundraising strategies.

Group of artists painting

Who will benefit from this Masterclass

Emerging artists planning their first funded project Mid-career artists looking to scale up their work and audiences Creative producers or project managers working with artist-led projects Junior fundraisers at arts organisations who support artists Artist collectives and small arts organisations building in-house skills.

What the Masterclasses Covers

  • Grant writing and applications

    Find suitable grants and learn how to write clear, compelling applications. We show you what funders look for and how to match your project to their priorities. During the session, you will draft or refine a real grant application.

  • Major donor basics for creatives

    Learn how to spot potential donors and build simple relationships. You’ll create a basic stewardship plan and get a meeting script you can actually use. These are practical steps for artists and small teams.

  • Campaign planning and fundraising calendars

    Plan a small fundraising campaign or project appeal from scratch. You will build a simple calendar with tasks, deadlines, and milestones. The focus is on steps your team can realistically manage.

  • Budgeting and financials for funders

    Prepare a straightforward budget for grant applications. Learn to show match funding and cash flow basics clearly. We share budget templates that funders expect to see.

  • Reporting and funder stewardship

    Write short reports and thank-yous that keep funders happy. Good reporting improves your chances of repeat support. You will practice writing a 300-word funder update.

  • Templates, tools, and follow-up support

    Each participant gets templates for applications, budgets, calendars, and reports. We include example funders to research. After the course, you can send us your first draft application for a short review and feedback.

Masterclasses

  • Funding Your Career in the Arts

    For organisations working with early career artists or recent graduates.

    This one-and-a-half-hour masterclass helps early-career creatives navigate the transition from education to subsidised arts funding. It covers planning, funding options, and strategies to help fund your artistic future.

    (Ideal for large groups.)

  • Fundraising 101

    For groups with recent graduates, new arts organisations, or artists brand new to fundraising.

    This half-day workshop provides a clear introduction to fundraising. It explains various income streams, how to begin a grant application, and what funders look for. There’s plenty of time for Q&A, so you can get your questions answered.

    (Ideal for large groups.)

  • Get Money: Make Art

    For artists and organisations who know what they want to do but need help securing funding.

    This interactive full-day session breaks down the fundraising process and helps you start a strong funding application. You’ll get planning tools, an application review session, and expert feedback on your work.

    (Works best for groups of 5–50. Larger groups receive less one-on-one support.)

Testimonials From Artists

  • Thank you for this opportunity and expanding my knowledge

    Anna
    (Emerging Artist)

  • It was so helpful. I have been looking for where I can find this information. It was amazing training. Thank you!

    Eric
    (Emerging Artist)

  • Very well presented workshop and excellent facilities.

    Cameron
    (Emerging Artist)

  • Just that Hannah was such an impressive person. Jaw dropped. Any follow up notes she could send us would be really great.

    Ken
    (Emerging Artist)

  • It was great!

    Julie
    (Emerging Artist)

  • The in-depth explanation of the Arts Council application was extremely useful.

    Jeff
    (Emerging Artist)

  • We need more workshops like this! How to do business in the arts, start your organisation, etc.

    Gary
    (Emerging Artist)

  • After this workshop, I felt really confident with my first funding application.

    Kelly
    (Emerging Artist)

  • Thank you so much, this was a career-changing event!

    Jon
    (Emerging Artist)

Outcomes You Can Expect

  • Higher-quality grant applications and clearer project budgets.

  • A simple donor cultivation plan to start approaching supporters.

  • A 12-month fundraising calendar tailored to your next project.

  • Time-saving templates that improve consistency and professionalism

Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Alira Arts delivers fundraising workshops and masterclasses designed specifically to teach artists how to apply for Arts Council and trust funding, including how to structure applications, demonstrate impact, and meet funder criteria.

  • Alira Arts offers short fundraising courses, masterclasses, and tailored workshops for individual artists, charities, and creative organisations across the UK.

  • Yes…

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