This fact sheet is intended for those who are seeking to gain financial support to help with the cost of training at drama school. While the majority of training is funded through Higher Education or the Dance and Drama Awards (see How Much Does Training Cost?) a significant minority of students face the daunting task of fundraising.
This fact-sheet is intended for use as a starting point, bringing together the main books, published sources and a number of key organisations with relevant advice and expertise.
Drama schools often have specially endowed scholarships or bursaries to cover course fees for selected students. Applicants should contact the drama schools to find out whether they qualify, at the time of making the first enquiries.
It is possible to raise funds from charities, trusts and foundations, however it is a time consuming project and needs careful planning and research. There are many ways of raising funds: applications to grant-making trusts and public bodies for grants and subsidies; and to commercial companies for sponsorship.
Advice
When applying for a grant, it is important to target prospective funders effectively. Trusts, companies, local authorities, and statutory bodies do not respond well to circular letters or untargeted phone calls, and they are unlikely to succeed. It is important to approach those funders whose priorities and concerns are directly relevant to your situation, needs and aims.
Below is a list of organisations offering advice who can help applicants target appropriate funders and sponsors.
It is important to prepare funding applications carefully. In applying to charities and trusts you need to be specific about how your needs and aims meet the objectives of the organisation. Seek detailed advice on writing applications, and request any information and guidance notes that the charity or trust provides before making a written application.
Consider approaching local businesses or trusts that may support training in the arts: ask your local library for more information. Try contacting trade unions and other professional bodies and approach family contacts that could be useful. You could try approaching individuals in the profession, but remember that well known actors and directors receive hundreds of requests from students every year – what makes your application different?
Click here to download a booklet by actor Damien Gaskin to find out how one drama school student raised the funds to train as an actor. This account is somewhat factually dated, especially with regards to government funding, as Damien applied for funds in 1993, when student grants were still the norm, and were discretionary for Drama School students. However, it included here as it does provide a useful insight into the practicalities of fundraising and the emotional resources needed to launch a successful fundraising campaign.
Finally it may be worthwhile considering the possibility of a Career Development Loan (information packs available by calling the DfES on 0800 585 505 or at www.lifelonglearning.co.uk).
Organisations Offering Advice
Association of Charitable Foundations
Tel: 020 7255 44992
Central House
Upper Woburn Walk
London WC1H 0AE
www.acf.org.uk
The UK's support organisation for grant making trusts and foundations of all types. Contains useful information on the website but cannot give advice about individual applications, nor help grant-seekers find suitable funders.
The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET)
Tel: 020 7240 5703
Old Brewer’s Yard, 17-19 Neal Street London WC2H 9UY
www.cdet.org.uk
CDET offers advice to those embarking on courses in dance.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Tel: 0141 243 3570
Department of University, Innovations and Skills.
Department of Children, Schools and Families.
www.direct.gov.uk
The DfES produces publications which gives details of grants available from LEAs to students who are taking first degrees and comparable courses; diploma of higher education courses, teacher training and HND courses. Leaflets are free upon request.
The Education Grants Advisory Service
Student Service Line:
020 7254 6251(Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2pm until 5pm)
Family Welfare Association
501-505 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AU
www.egas-online.org.uk
Set up to help students and parents by putting them in touch with likely sources of financial aid, also offering information about welfare grants. The Service advises students and parents faced with difficulties in their negotiations with LEAs and provide liaison with educational charities. There is also a useful online database which will search for charities appropriate for your course.
The Student Loans Company
Tel: 0800 405 010
100 Bothwell Street
Glasgow G2 7JD
www.slc.co.uk
Provides funding for United Kingdom residents who are studying in higher education in the United Kingdom. It is a non-departmental government body, and are the sole administrator of publicly financed loans for students. Site contains details of applying for loans, and terms and conditions.
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
Tel: 0151 259 5505
PO Box 20,
Liverpool L13 1HB
Occasionally makes awards for dance and drama studies.
The National Union of Students (NUS)
Tel: 0871221 8221
Snd Floor, Centro House
Mandela Street
London NW1 0DU
www.nus.online.co.uk
Produces the NUS Welfare Information Pack, which includes information on grants, awards and alternative financial assistance.
The University of London Careers Service
Stewart House
32 Russell Square
London WC1B 5DN
www.careers.lon.ac.uk
Maintains a reference library containing information from various educational trusts and foundations who may offer assistance to students, endowed scholarships and details and guidance on all grants available from LEAs.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland
Tel: 0845 111 1711
Gyleview House,
3 Redheughs Rigg
Edinburgh EH12 9HH
www.student-support-saas.gov.uk
This site contains a wide range of information for those studying in Scotland who need to obtain funding for their higher education course.
Arts & Humanities Research Board (AHRB)
Tel: 0117 987 6544
Whitefriars,Lewins Mead
Bristol BS1 2AE
www.ahrb.ac.uk
Administers a scheme of postgraduate professional and vocational awards.
Charitable Trusts and Foundations
Below is a list of some charitable trusts and Foundations that have awarded grants to students in the past. However it is not a definitive list and you should also refer to the books and directories of Trusts and Foundations listed below.
The Altrusa Careers Trust
PO Box 6160,
Orkney KW16 3HA
The Trust was established to help women in the UK and Eire further their career prospects or to retrain after bringing up a family. Present loan maximum is £500. Applications received are reviewed after 31 March each year.
The Ann Driver Trust
PO Box 2761
London W1A 5HD
To advance the education of youth in the arts and sciences. Requests for an application form should be made by the April preceding the academic year beginning in September.
The Crescent Trust
Tel: 020 7730 5420
The Crescent Trust
27a Sloane Square
London SW1W 8AB
Contact Ms C Akehurst
Equity Trust Fund Only able to help professional performers, but some students may be able to meet the criteria set by the trust.
Tel: 020 7404 6041
222 Africa House
64 Kingsway
London WC2B 6BD
BBC Performing Arts Fund www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund
The Fenton Arts Trust
PO Box 135, East Horsley, Surrey KT24 9AB
Grants are made towards the creative arts, principally painting and drama. Applications in writing to Ms Shelley Baxter.
The Follett Trust
Tel: 01934 838337
17 Chescombe Road
Yatton,
Bristol BS19 4EE
Contact M D Follett.
The Lawrence Atwell's Charity
Tel: 020 7213 0561
Skinner’s Hall
8 Dowgate Hill
London EC4R 2SP
www.skinnershall.co.uk
The Charity assists young people (16-26) who come from a low-income background to become qualified or equipped to work in their chosen career. Will only consider applications for funding a full-time, vocational, NCDT accredited drama course. Application by form only (available on-line). Initial enquiries by telephone are welcomed. British students or refugees with indefinate leave to remain only.
Mackintosh Foundation
Tel: 020 7637 8866
1 Bedford Square
London WC1B 3RA
Awards scholarships to promote and develop theatre and the performing arts.
The Rosemary Bugden Charitable Trust
Tel: 0117 917 3922
Osbourne Clarke
50 Queen Charlotte Street
Bristol BS1 4HE
Contact J W Sharpe. Funding for performing arts in U.K
Sydney Dean Whitehead's Charitable Trust Moore Stephens
30 Gay Street
Bath
BA1 2PD
Tel: 01225 486100
Fax: 01225 448198
Ernest & Young
Sydney Dean Whitehead's Charitable Trust
1 Barbirolli Square
Manchester ME 3EY
Apply to the Secretary, in writing (including SAE). The trustees apply their funds towards supporting parents with the educational costs of their children and respond more readily to appeals relating to children with special talents, particularly in the artistic fields. They also respond more readily to appeals which show that there is an element of self-help already in operation and where a lack of finance could preclude children from receiving the type of education their particular 'gift' merits.
The Sidney Perry Foundation
PO Box 2924
Faringdon SN7 7YJ
Assistance to those of great promise, under 35 at the start of their course, who would be unable to proceed with their studies through lack of means. Average grant in the region of £500. Application form available from Mrs L A Owens enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
The Thomas Wall Trust
PO Box 52 781
London
EC2P 2UT
[email protected]
www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk
Contact Professor Geoffrey Holt. To make grants to students in need for educational, especially vocational, courses. Applications from individuals may be made from January onwards preceding the start of the academic year for which the grant is sought, and will be considered for as long as the available funds allow. The amount of the grant is from £600 to £1,000. Grant request is solely by application and all information and forms are available at
Winterbourne Charitable Trust
9 Wilton Row
London SW1X 7NR
Contact A S D Barrett.
The Educational Grants Directory
By Michael Eastwood and David Casson.
Available from Directory of Social Change Ltd, 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP. 020 7391 4800 www.dsc.org.uk
Sponsorship for Students Published and distributed by Hobsons Publishing plc (in conjuction with COIC/CRAC ) Available from: Customer Services, Biblios PDS Ltd. Star Road, Partridge Green, West Sussex RH13 8LD.
Published yearly by Palgrave Macmillan Reference Ltd. Available from: www.palgraveaward.com/reference/ or Palgrave Macmillan , Houndsmill, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS Published by the Charities Aid Foundation. Available at most public libraries and from Directory of Grant Making Trusts, Kingshill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA University Scholarships and Awards Available from www.waterlow.com Money To Study: The Complete Guide to Student Finance Available from Family Welfare Association, 501-505 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London E8 4AU Sponsorship and Funding Directory Available from: Hobsons, Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LZ. Scholarship Guide for Commonwealth Postgraduate Students Employers and Professional Bodies offering Sponsorship & Supplementary Awards to Students following First Degree, BTEC or comparable courses Available from: Careers and Occupational Information Centre, Pennie Centre, 20/22 Hawley Street, Sheffield S1 3GA. The Education Yearbook Charities Digest Contains a chapter on education which includes details of scholarships. The Grants Register
This publication lists 2,500 scholarships and bursaries from 200 different organisations.
By Brian Heap, published by Trotman and Company.
Listing scholarships available to students from universities and other organisations.
Available from: www.trotman.co.uk or Trotman & Co., Ltd., The Green, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1PL.Useful Websites
Published annually by Hobsons. Listing of employers and companies offering sponsorship and placement opportunities.
Available from: Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1.
Published annually.
Published by www.pearsoned.ac.uk
This publication lists over 4,000 awards for students studying both in the UK and abroad.
Helpful Books
Some of the books listed should be available in large public libraries, many of them can be purchased from the Directory of Social Change (DSC) including the Educational Grants Directory, A Guide to the Major Trusts, Grants for Individuals in Need and The Arts Funding Guide.
The South Square Trust
Tel: 01435 830 778
PO Box 67
Heathfield
East Sussex TN21 9ZR
Assistance for students over 18 studying practical degree courses in the fine and applied arts. Prefernece given to nationals. Grants for assistance with fees or living expenses. Application forms available from Mrs Nicola Chrimes. Applications should be submitted from January to April for consideration in May for courses starting in September.References are required for submission with the application form. Initial enquiries by telephone are welcomed.
The Talbot House Trust
White Horse Court
25C North Street
Bishop's Stortford
Hertfordshire CM23 2LD
Assistance for individuals undertaking courses in the performing arts.
Grants to help with the cost of equipment/instruments, fees or maintenance/living expenses. No grants are made to Postgraduates.Forms should be submited by March for consideration in May. Contact: Mrs Jane Day.
The Central Advisory for Trusts and Scholarships
7-11 Kensington High Street
London W8 5NP
Centre for Creative Communities
Tel: 0845 111 1711
Regent House Business Centre
24/25 Nutford Place
London W1H 5YN
www.creativecommunities.org.uk
Library which you can use by appointment. Mon - Thurs, 10am-4pm.