RESOURCES

Supports UK-based artists working in contemporary performance, at all career stages. They offer free advice and information, development and training opportunities, awards to support research and experimentation, and a programme for graduate artists.

www.artsadmin.co.uk

Provides professional information, advice and projects for visual artists and professional working artists, at any stage in their careers, working in any medium.
www.artquest.org.uk

Operates the Arts & Culture Impact Fund, an investment fund for arts, culture and heritage social enterprises which offers loans between £150,000 and £1 million, and the Cultural Impact Development Fund which offers small-scale repayable finance to socially-driven arts and cultural organisations for improving the quality of impact practice and evaluation.

www.artsculturefinance.org

Helping people who work in arts and culture reach more audiences
Providing Training, Resources and Networking to members and their organisations since 1993
www.a-m-a.co.uk

Aim to promote commercial best practice in the cultural and heritage sector by providing training and networking opportunities and facilitating the sharing of information and experience between their members.
www.culturalenterprises.org.uk

Works with UK and international partners to develop projects which support innovation and enterprise in culture. They share information about programmes, latest opportunities and research findings, as well as toolkits, research and online resources for creative entrepreneurs.

creativeconomy.britishcouncil.org

The BFC Foundation supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on Education, Grant-Giving & Business Mentoring.
www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/BFC-Foundation

A useful resource for information on support, advice and inspiration for growing your business.

www.greatbusiness.gov.uk

Business and IP Centres are equipped to enable you to conduct your own research, and offer assistance with a range of activities including targeting customers in specific business sectors, researching your competitors, sourcing products, and researching grants. The IP team can also help you work with patents, registered designs, copyright and trade marks and signpost your next move.

www.norfolk.gov.uk/business-library

A social business founded to support charities to achieve more and better.
Specialising in fundraising, income generation and programme development they partner with charities, philanthropists and corporations that want to make change, providing 4 key services: programme design & innovation, fundraising & philanthropy, support & advice and training.
www.cause4.co.uk

A professional arts organisation specialising in theatre for social change through collaborative practice. We use theatre to engage those on the margins of society, telling untold stories and tackling the local, national and international concerns of our time.
The Centre for Excellence in Participatory Theatre is a virtual space for learning and debate. It is for anyone with a passion for participatory theatre. It aims to advocate for, strengthen and connect the participatory theatre movement nationally and internationally.
www.collective-encounters.org.uk

The leading organisation for engagement with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Norfolk, providing help with things like finding funding, running an organisation, engaging communities, and strategic planning.

www.communityactionnorfolk.org.uk

Supports organisations in Suffolk’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, to enable them to operate more effectively.

www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

Offers talent development support for makers across the UK, running a variety of programmes including one-to-one advice sessions, a biennial conference, and free online resources. They also run Hothouse, a part-time, six month programme that gives makers the tools they need to build a successful and sustainable craft business.

www.craftscouncil.org.uk

Offers bespoke investments, loans and growth mentoring for creative businesses, and connects national investor networks to regional creative businesses.

www.creativeengland.co.uk

Supports the arts, cultural and creative industries through innovative business growth programmes and membership schemes.
www.creativeunited.org.uk

The Creative Unlimited project is designed to help economic recovery and growth in the creative, cultural and digital sectors in Norfolk and Suffolk and is a partnership between New Anglia LEP, University of East Anglia, Norwich University of the Arts, University of Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council (as part of the legacy of the StartEast programme). The project is helping organisations and individuals develop and showcase their creative ventures through bespoke business workshops, masterclasses, mentoring and direct support.
www.newanglia.co.uk/creative-unlimited

Champions, shares and promotes best practice in the governance of culture, offering workshops, seminars, training and professional development. Their website features a knowledge library of legal guidance, reports, and toolkits.

culturalgovernancealliance.org

Digital Catapult helps UK businesses overcome barriers in undertaking R&D and innovation in advanced digital technologies across the creative industries – not only around content production and technology development, but also the creative processes, problem solving and development that precedes them.

www.digicatapult.org.uk

Here to develop your organisation’s digital skills. Working across the arts and culture sector, the Network is led by nine specialist Tech Champions. They want you to be a part of it.
www.digitalculturenetwork.org.uk

Supports visionary creative entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-30 who are driven by a mission to create and sustain social value through their enterprise. Award includes up to £20,000 investment to start or grow your enterprise and 12 months business support with MeWe360 and Deutsche Bank’s high calibre industry & business mentors.

dbace.org

A grant programme being offered by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council.
DRIVE will offer businesses contributing to the rural economy in Norfolk and Suffolk 12 hours of business mentoring to create project and business plans, after which the applicant will be able to apply for a capital grant of between £5k and £30k, towards up to 40% of project costs. All applicants will need to put forward job creation as a result of their grant application.
www.norfolk.gov.uk

Offers grant and learning support for charities and social enterprises looking to become more enterprising. Suitable for organisations that are thinking of exploring new models of trading to help them become more financially resilient and require financial or business support to make the transition.

www.enterprisedevelopmentprogramme.org.uk

EEN is the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions and helps businesses to innovate and grow on an international scale.

een.ec.europa.eu

A collaborative project to help improve access to information on social investment for charities and social enterprises.

www.goodfinance.org.uk

A free search facility that serves both businesses and communities looking for funding.

www.idoxopen4business.co.uk

Whether it is short term advice on how to grow your business, or longer term support you need, we can help. With more than 25 years of experience of working with businesses and teams, we are qualified in Business Leadership and Management Coaching and Mentoring, Quality Improvement, Training and HR/Personnel Management.
www.growmysmallbusiness.co.uk

Managed by The Heritage Alliance and the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Heritage Funding Directory is a free guide to financial support for anyone undertaking UK related heritage projects. This is a useful starting point for navigating funding sources in the sector. The Directory’s entries cover historic buildings, landscapes, parks and gardens, churchyards and cemeteries, industrial heritage, archives, historic churches, museums, archaeology, the environmental, heritage skills, conservation and more.
www.heritagefundingdirectoryuk.org

A membership organisation supporting UK businesses in the immersive tech sector. Brings together industry, research and academic organisations, public sector and innovators to help fast track innovation, R&D, scalability and company growth.

www.immerseuk.org

Represents, supports and develops the professional performing arts in the UK.
www.itc-arts.org

InnovateUK supports businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base. They fund and connect businesses to develop new products, processes and services.

www.gov.uk/innovate-uk

Supports individuals and established businesses to create and develop social enterprises across the UK, offering a variety of remote and 1-2-1 support options that can be tailored to your needs.

www.inspire2enterprise.org

A free investment readiness programme for Norfolk and Suffolk businesses, offering investor led workshops and masterclasses, specialist advisor and mentor support, and networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
www.investeast.co.uk

Helps businesses get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries. The Digital & Creative Team accelerates innovation in UK creative, digital and design businesses by creating a place for innovators to meet, share ideas and work together.

ktn-uk.co.uk

Provides equity finance for small and medium sized enterprises in the East of England that are contributing to the low carbon economy.
www.lowcarbonfund.co.uk

Provides impartial one-to-one business advice, specialist business skills training, bespoke business courses, networking opportunities and events designed to help all business people in Norfolk and Suffolk start or grow their business.
www.menta.org.uk

MetaValue is a business growth consultancy. We have worked with businesses from start-up and one-person project stages right up to large, scaling enterprises to help them unlock their potential for growth. Our methodology combines creative blue-sky thinking with analytical approaches to shape and make ideas real. As an entrepreneur led business, we know the importance of underpinning a bold vision with a practical approach that brings it to life.
www.metavalue.co.uk

Provides bespoke networking, mentoring, consultancy, and investment support to UK entrepreneurs in the arts and creative industries.

mewe360.com

A practical capacity-building programme to support creative entrepreneurs around the world and encourage sustainable and resilient livelihoods. The programme’s core offer is a three-day capacity-building workshop to support creative entrepreneurs in establishing and growing their businesses. Their downloadable Creative Enterprise Toolkit is a practical resource to help you plan, build, test, communicate and launch your new creative business.

www.nesta.org.uk/creative-enterprise-programme

Helps businesses in East Anglia access a range of business support services from hundreds of sources. Service is free and impartial and can help you access grants, finance, start-up support, international trade support and other specialist advice.

www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk

Provide networking opportunities, share knowledge, offer business advice and support, signpost to business opportunities and inspire innovative thinking to enable companies to do better business.
www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

An independent local charity helping ordinary people do extraordinary things that make our local communities thrive, and improve the lives of people who live there.
They provide local funding and support that ensures that small local charities and voluntary groups can continue and grow, providing essential care, support and opportunity for the most vulnerable in our communities.
www.norfolkfoundation.com

A dedicated service that promotes Norfolk as a screen-friendly county in the East of England which showcases its wonderful locations, talent, services and facilities.
Norfolk Screen will be hosting regular industry events under the umbrella of Norfolk Screen Talks to help educate, enlighten and entertain those who are interested in breaking into the screen industry, studying Film & TV or currently working within the screen sector.
www.norfolkscreen.co.uk

Monthly workshops for creative businesses & freelancers delivered through Creative Unlimited.
Platform 2021, delivered by Norwich University of the Arts, is a series of workshop sessions for people interested in starting their own creative business or becoming a freelancer.
Platform sessions are run by industry professionals who guide you through some of the key areas you need to know about when starting up. They cover research, branding, marketing, finance, legal and networking.
www.meetup.com

Supports people to start and grow community businesses to revive local assets, protect the services people rely on, and address local needs.

www.powertochange.org.uk

Runs courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. SSE East currently delivers two learning programmes for social entrepreneurs across East Anglia.

www.the-sse.org

The official film office for Suffolk, representing all seven District Councils and Suffolk County Council, delivered by FilmFixer.
Screen Suffolk offers a ‘one-stop’ film service, from initial enquiry through to crew sourcing and permitting. They promote Suffolk’s film service infrastructure, creative talent and fantastic locations.
Screen Suffolk wants to create an environment in Suffolk that allows the film industry to thrive. This means developing the skills, interest, understanding and enthusiasm that will allow it to do so.
www.screensuffolk.com

Offers either workshops and mentoring, intern support, grants, business growth or digital + data experts for creative businesses based in Essex, East Sussex, and Kent.

www.southeastcreatives.co.uk

Membership organisation for social enterprises in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. They support social enterprises across the East to grow, communicate and demonstrate their impact and social value.

seee.co.uk

Supports new UK theatre producers and productions by offering a series of development programmes, ranging from practical workshops to financial awards.

www.stageone.uk.com

Government-backed personal loans available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12-months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed.

www.startuploans.co.uk

Delivering the ‘Skills Support for the Workforce’ programme in New Anglia. Along with 7 other providers, the project supports businesses and employees through the delivery of skills training which is fully funded. A wide range of training is available including courses in IT, Social Media, Customer Service, Management, Tourist Economy, and Team Leading.

www.steadfasttraining.co.uk

Offer their members a wide range of services including: networking, international trade advice, national and regional representation and access to their member directory database, to ensure their members can operate effectively and productively with an established and supportive organisation behind them.
www.suffolkchamber.co.uk

Brings together public sector organisations to align and promote countywide economic growth objectives as part of a single, ambitious strategic vision. They work across Suffolk and the wider region, engaging with a range of stakeholders to drive positive change through shared activity, delivery and promotion.
www.suffolkgrowth.co.uk

Helps cultural organisations to understand audiences, build audience strategy, evaluate activities, and strengthen skills through training. Offers off-the-shelf products and services with bespoke research and consultancy for organisations at any stage of development. Website features useful resources including research reports, case studies, and how-to guides.

www.theaudienceagency.org

The Norfolk Knowledge Hub, crafted in collaboration with Norfolk County Council, is a free to view 24/7 virtual business support and learning portal.
Get the support and inspiration you need to succeed by accessing online learning, knowledge sharing events, peer to peer learning, thought leadership, information and ideas all designed to help support you and your business.
www.norfolkknowledgehub.co.uk

The trade body and membership organisation for the UK’s fast-moving, innovative and creative games and interactive entertainment sector.
www.ukie.org.uk

An industry-funded body representing the collective interests of the recorded, published and live arms of the British music industry.
www.ukmusic.org

Develops artists’ practice through cross art form opportunities and celebrates creativity at national & international biennials.
www.ukyoungartists.co.uk

Finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs. Support is tailored to the needs of the enterprise and can include funding, investment, one to one support, workshops on business and specialist skills, tools to measure impact, and mentoring.
www.unltd.org.uk