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Creative Kernow

Creative Kernow

Creative Kernow, based at Krowji, is the umbrella organisation for the following nine projects. Together we support the production, promotion and distribution of work by creative practitioners in Cornwall because we believe in creativity’s transformative power and want more people to benefit from it.

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Cultivator funding extension!

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Cultivator funding extension!

Posted by

Joe Wonnacott — 7 March 2022

We're delighted to announce that we have secured additional funding to extend the Cultivator programme.

2022 was set to be the last year of Cultivator but for the past six months, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to secure funding to extend the project. Last week, we received the brilliant news that ERDF had approved our application. This was the last piece of the jigsaw to fall into place  – and so we can now announce that our programme of creative business support and skills development will continue to June 2023.

With new funding comes new objectives. We are looking forward to working with our existing clients to identify fresh opportunities for growth and development. We will also be taking on a limited number of new clients to help us reach these targets.

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Taking on new clients

We are keen to hear from all ambitious and driven creative businesses and cultural organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that have been trading for at least two years. Due to the time limitation and the new objectives linked to our funding, there are some priorities that we will need to consider when assessing applications. We want to ensure that our support has the biggest impact it can, so we are especially keen to hear from you if you need our help with:

  • Launching something new
  • Navigating a key milestone (major show, commission, award etc.)
  • Taking on new employee(s)
  • Entering a new market
  • Business modelling or developing a business plan
  • Marketing strategy
  • Making your business more green

From 14th March – 4th April creative businesses can apply to join the programme by completing a simple application form. We will be hosting this on our website and sharing it through our networks in due course. Applicants will be notified as to whether they have been accepted by 8th April. 

We will also be taking on a small number of graduates for our Graduate Start-up Programme. This element will have a different application process and selection criteria to be announced in due course.

Please note – the deadline for taking on new clients has now passed. We are still accepting applications for clients wishing to take part in our Graduate Start-up Programme. If you would like to apply please contact [email protected]

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What this means for our existing clients

If you are already a client, you do not need to reapply to join the programme and we continue to support you. Some of our support elements, such as grant funding opportunities, will be weighted towards businesses that align with the new objectives set by our funders (including developing new products and services and taking on new employees). You can expect further communication from us in due course about new opportunities and funding rounds as they become available.

Some creative businesses may also have utilised all of the support we can offer them and come to the end of their journey with Cultivator. We will close the accounts of these clients over the coming weeks to ensure that we have the capacity and resources to support businesses that have not yet had these opportunities.

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Read the FAQ

What is Cultivator?

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Cultivator is a business development programme that supports the creative sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It’s is a project run by Creative Kernow and works in partnership with the University of Plymouth, Real Ideas, Cornwall College and Cornwall Development Company.  

To support creative businesses, we provide one-to-one consultations with specialist advisors, as well as a range of funding opportunities, employment bursaries, skills workshops, and networking events to help you grow your business and connect with the right people. You can find our full programme here.   

The first phase of Cultivator ran between September 2016 and August 2019. During that time, we worked with more than 600 creative businesses and organisations, from visual artists to musicians, filmmakers to heritage sites. You can find some case studies from Phase 1 here. 

Who can become a Cultivator client?

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To become a Cultivator client you must be able to show that you run a creative business in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly and have been trading for two years or more. If your application to join the programme is successful then we will need to collect some additional info from you as well as a few pieces of evidence that you meet these criteria.

If you are at an early stage of your business journey then we may refer you to another business support programme, as you may benefit more from the support they can offer. We will also be taking on a small number of graduates for our Graduate Start-up Programme. This element will have a different application process and selection criteria to be announced in due course. Provided you meet this criteria we may also recommend you for this.

I'm unsure whether I am still a Cultivator client. How do I find out?

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Please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. If you would like to join the programme then you will need to complete an application form by 4th April 2022.

Will I be able to access all of the support schemes (e.g. Creative Investment Grant) that you offer?

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Before you can access our support schemes, you’ll need to complete our application process. The way you answer the questions during the process will help us identify what support we can offer you. There is then a separate application process for each of these schemes. The application process is competitive and there is no guarantee of success.

Can I apply for a grant if I have applied before?

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Most of our grants have a two-year waiting period after a successful application in which you cannot apply again. If you are unsure whether it has been two years since you last applied then please check the date on your award letter.

If you have previously applied to a scheme but have not been successful then you can apply again at the next opportunity.

We encourage you to read the specific FAQ for each different grant before you consider applying or reapplying.

Full programme/ FAQs

Can I benefit from Cultivator without signing up as a client?

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To access most of what we do, you’ll need to sign up as a client. We do, however, run networking events across the county. Lots of these events are open to everyone. Sign up to our mailing list to keep up with what’s on.