New support programme launches for creative industries
A new support programme, Creative Industry Finance (CIF), will launch across the UK on September 23.
CIF aims to provide business support and access to finance to enable the growth and development of the UK’s creative and cultural industries.
The programme will offer up to 12 hours of free sector-specific business support for creative enterprises, as well as the opportunity to access loans from a range of lending partners, starting from £2,500.
The organisation behind CIF is Creative United, a community interest company which is backed by Arts Council England.
Mary-Alice Stack, chief executive of Creative United, said: “Our mission is to build a sustainable and resilient creative economy in the UK and to make the arts accessible to all. Creative industries are a hotbed of talent with ample opportunity for investment. Through the development of the CIF we are proud to support the growth of this crucial sector of the UK economy.”
The CIF pilot ran for two years, providing 57 businesses across London, Yorkshire and Humber direct loans and business development support.
Applications for CIF will be available online to creative and cultural organisations that have been trading for at least 18 months.
