In partnership with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency, GM Arts is offering bursaries between £100 – £250 for freelance creative practitioners.
These bursaries are here to support artists’ growth by making it easier to attend workshops, training, networking, or access other professional development opportunities.
Round 3 (11th August – 12th September 2025) is now closed.
We’re grateful to everyone who applied and expressed interest in the bursaries
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We’ll share updates on upcoming rounds, events, and other ways to get involved.
Section 1: Eligibility
We recognise that financial barriers can significantly limit access to professional development opportunities for freelance creative practitioners.
The Rochdale GM Arts Access Bursaries are designed to support those who find it challenging to cover the costs associated with attending networking, training or other professional development events. We aim to cover expenses that may be overlooked by other funding sources, including, but not limited to, the cost of taking time off work, travel, accommodation, and caregiving costs.
Our goal is to reduce financial pressures so that creative practitioners can focus on expanding skills and networks, irrespective of personal or economic circumstances.
Please note: Rochdale GM Arts Access Bursaries are designed to assist those who genuinely need financial support. If you are comfortably able to cover these costs without assistance, we kindly ask that you leave this opportunity for those who need it most. This ensures our resources support those for whom such financial assistance can make a significant difference in accessing professional development opportunities.
Individuals who have previously successfully applied for the following: GM Arts Bursary Rounds 1 or 2 or RBCN Small Grants 2025/2 Round 1 are not eligible to apply for the GM Arts Round 3.
The source of the GM Arts Spirit funding is from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Culture Fund.
The Rochdale Borough Culture Network can only accept one application to the Rochdale GM Arts Bursary per applicant per round.
