The Arts Funding Guide

By Susan Forrester and David Lloyd Publisher: DSC Year of publication/edition no: 2002 6th edition ISBN No: 1 903991 10 2 £18.95 (£24.40 inc. p&p)

This is an invaluable resource for anyone working in the arts who is looking for information on sources of funding as it provides in one publication a comprehensive guide to both public and private support and covers all types of art form, arts organisation and arts event.  There is also a very useful list of organisations that support individual artists and a bibliography of funding/sponsorship guides. 

The guide is divided into four parts, UK official sources, international, support from companies and charitable trusts, each of which is then sub-divided, so it’s easy to find the type of funding you’re looking for.  It’s also comprehensively indexed although, frustratingly, there is no alphabetical index.  Clearly written, as well as presented, I warmed to the informed and unexpectedly lively (given the subject-matter) style of the writing.  The level of detail for each entry is nicely judged and I particularly liked being given examples of the organisations and activity supported.  This 6th edition was published in 2002 so some of the entries (especially those for the national arts councils) are out of date but this is inevitable with a guide of this kind and you are given all the details you need to obtain the most current information. 

A guide as comprehensive as this is likely to be of use to all arts fundraisers but novices will particularly welcome the down-to-earth guidance in the sections relating to local authorities, companies and charitable trusts.  Giving you access to information on arts funding worth in excess of £585 million, The Arts Funding Guide is undoubtedly excellent value for money at £18.75.

Review by: Philippa Johnston
Co-ordinator of literature training, which provides information, advice and guidance on professional development for the literature sector.
www.literaturetraining.com
Arts Professional Issue 84   18 October 2004

SAM's Books compiles the Bookshop section of Arts Professional magazine, and used to compile Bookshop in its predecessor, Arts Business.

This review has appeared in Arts Professional or Arts Business. It gives a longer and more personal description of the book than appears in the booklists.