The second round of funding from the Lucy Phillips Arts Fund, set up in 2024 in memory of the life and legacy of local arts leader, Lucy Phillips opens today, Friday 24th October 2025. Applications are invited before the deadline on 31st December 2025 and further information is available by visiting https://sites.google.com/view/LPAF
The Fund supports Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland artists and creatives as well as activities that champion and celebrate the arts, artistic collaborations and the development of artists’ leadership skills.
In excess of £20,000 has been raised for the Fund and donations have been received from individuals and organisations as well as benefit concerts and events and an album of music from Leicestershire bands. The first round of funds were allocated earlier this year and supported artists and cultural organisations working in the area, including printmaker Michelle Keegan, artists Ruby Waage Townsend and Courtney Askey, plus organisations Kick Up The Arts, Crown Hills Arts Society and Big Difference Company. The total amount of funding allocated in the first round was £4,420 and it helped pay for community workshops, development projects, research trips, sound equipment and a programme of events for local artists.
Leicester based charity Big Difference received a grant from the fund. CEO Michael Harris-Wakelam said “the grant allowed us to purchase guitar amplifiers and drum hardware so our venue now has ‘house gear’ that any band can use for all our shows. Having this equipment available means that our venue is more accessible for all kinds of musicians who may not have easy access to expensive musical equipment.
Without the grant from the Lucy Phillips Arts Fund we wouldn’t have been able to make this happen, so we want to say a big THANK YOU on behalf on the local music scene and from everyone at The Big Difference.”
