Brilliant work from the Music Venue Trust as ever!

The investment period for our Arts & Culture Impact Fund (ACIF) has been extended until 2027! Read more figurative.org.uk/news/major-i... Thanks to @artscouncilengland.bsky.social, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Better Society Capital, Nesta, @esmeefairbairn.bsky.social & Freelands Foundation.

As part of our anniversary, we've created an interactive map to shine a spotlight on the organisations we've supported across the cultural sector - from community theatres transforming young lives to museums preserving our heritage. 🔎 Explore our map here: figurative.org.uk/resource/cel...

Figurative is a new charity specialising in social impact investing for arts and culture organisations. To learn how we can work with you, watch our story here: youtu.be/Dc-IZ_oqkG4?... #ArtsAndCulture #ImpactInvesting #SocialImpact #CreativeIndustries #CulturalSector #Philanthropy

Last year, Figurative launched as an independent not-for-profit, spinning out of Nesta with a bold mission: to revolutionise arts funding & build financial resilience across the cultural & creative sector. Check out our infographic for a snapshot of our work, to see what the team have been up to!

We're excited to be publishing our new guide Setting the Stage today! The guide offers actionable guidance for funders, policymakers & cultural sector leaders considering impact investment initiatives. ➡️ figurative.org.uk/resource/set... #CulturalImpactInvestment #ArtsFinance #CreativeEconomy

🎉 We're thrilled to share our latest free resource: The Collaboration Canvas: Tools for Creative Partnerships. Created with @eastside-people.bsky.social to demystify collaboration & unlock new opportunities. Download: rb.gy/3gpmow #CollaborationCanvas #CulturalSector #ArtsCollaboration #UKCreatives

We’re delighted to share that we have been officially registered as an independent charity by Charity Commission for England and Wales! ✨ You can read more about our new status here: figurative.org.uk/news/figurat...

When it comes to culture and the creative industries, any new government strategy provokes new questions. The latest Creative Industries Sector Plan is no exception, writes Jason Jones-Hall. www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

We are delighted to have been chosen as one of six cultural organisations to feature as a case study in the Private Investment in the Cultural Sector report, commissioned by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social to explore our work bringing more private investment into the cultural & creative sector.

In the latest Private Investment in Culture Survey, The Audience Agency finds that private investment – although growing – is outweighed by rising costs. It shows that, in the mixed funding model of the creative sector, public funding is key. Read more 👇 buff.ly/oKKwtnG

The UK’s culture sector is under threat, and the country is at risk of losing its global reputation for excellence, former Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has told parliament.

Figurative is delighted to support @musicvenueprop.bsky.social (MVP) with a second impact investment loan of £500,000. MVP has impact across the UK as it brings grassroots music venues under community ownership, protecting their vital contributions to local neighbourhoods & the UK’s music scene. 👏

Music Venue Properties (MVP) is pleased to confirm that we will receive a second £500,000 loan from impact investment group Figurative, longstanding supporters of our mission to secure the future of UK grassroots music venues.

If you missed our practical webinar exploring the use of AI in the creative & cultural sector and the funding opportunities available - you can now watch the webinar here! figurative.org.uk/resource/ai-... 💫

Creative Mind Funds for Scottish museums is now open - check this out...

Future Yard are just one of the many brilliant arts and cultural organisations we support through impact investment. Thanks for sharing @goodfinanceuk.bsky.social! You can find out more about what we do here: www.figurative.org.uk

Today is #WorldEnvironmentDay and later this summer, we're going to share new research commissioned by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social and the @creativepec.bsky.social with partners Renew Culture, Buro Happold & MGAC. Sign up to our newsletter to find out more! figurative.org.uk/newsletter-s...

A very apt article - next week we're holding a free online webinar exploring the use of AI in the creative and cultural sector. Visit our website for more ➡️https://figurative.org.uk/event/webinar-ai-rd/ #art #culture #AI

ICYMI: NERC unveils ambitious 10-year vision as it celebrates 60 years #NERC #AcademicSky

Many of the brilliant arts and cultural organisations we support through our financing just couldn't survive without the many wonderful volunteers who give up their precious time. Thank you! 👏#VolunteersWeek #arts #culture #creativeindustries volunteersweek.org

There’s still time to sign up for our free webinar next week, exploring AI Research and Development in the cultural and creative sector! Webinar – AI R&D: Beyond Arts Funding Thursday 12 June | 1–2pm | Free ➡️ Book your place here – lnkd.in/e-ScbzAK We hope you can join us!

A brilliant initiative! Definitely something to check out...

Join us for a free webinar, in partnership with @artscouncilengland.bsky.social, exploring AI R&D in the cultural and creative sector as well as funding opportunities available to support AI-driven innovation in response to this rapidly evolving field. Book Now! | figurative.org.uk/event/webina...

'Middle classes continue to dominate arts workforce and audiences' The Stage reports on Creative PEC's latest State of the Nations research publication: ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Recent Trends in UK Workforce and Engagement in England.’ Read more: www.thestage.co.uk/news/middle-...

If you're a not-for profit theatre organisation exploring Theatre Tax Relief options - you should read this! Rachel Green, our Chief Investment Officer, explains how Figurative can help theatre's navigate waiting for relief.... #theatre #UKTheatre #arts #culture #dance #TheatreTaxRelief #innovation

Our CEO Fran Sanderson talked to @thestage.co.uk about Figurative's new scheme designed to support the UK not-for-profit theatre industry. #theatre #TheatreTaxRelief #arts #culture #UKTheatre

We are looking for organisations to take part in our pilot Impact Health Check, designed to empower cultural organisations to take full ownership of how they measure, articulate & demonstrate social impact. ➡️ Register here: figurative.org.uk/news/impacth... #arts #culture #socialimpact

[Partner post] 🌟 Discover investors that match your organisation’s mission with @goodfinanceuk.bsky.social FundMapper 🗺️. Get access to the right funding opportunities quickly and easily. Start searching now ⬇️ buff.ly/Ivumten

We are recruiting for an Investment Associate (parental leave cover) to join our fast-paced investment team! The role is key in broadening access to social finance for cultural & creative organisations. Apply Now | Deadline 12 May figurative.org.uk/career/inves...

We’re delighted to announce that UK not-for-profit theatre organisations can now apply for our loans to cashflow TTR claims, enabling leaders to focus on strategic objectives, rather than short-term cash management. Find out more here! figurative.org.uk/fund/theatre...

New data published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research Cebr shows that artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries in receipt of @artscouncilengland.bsky.social investment together delivered a direct Gross Value Added contribution of £1.35 billion for the economy buff.ly/FW1Ivnr

If you missed our practical webinar Exploring Collaboration Models in Arts & Culture, you can view the recording or download the transcript from our website here figurative.org.uk/resource/exp... Speakers included @applesandsnakes.bsky.social and @eastside-people.bsky.social

In our latest blog, we explore how impact investment could be the key to unlocking an arts organisation's success. But, how do arts organisations use impact investment, and how do they repay it? Find out more here: figurative.org.uk/news/impacti...

A great tool for measuring social impact...

We've created a starter pack for #SocialInvestment. If you're working in the sector, are exploring repayable finance or would just like to keep on top of all the latest and greatest from the sector, join the chat via > go.bsky.app/GUPpMNv

The second annual Arts for Impact campaign, delivered by @biggive.bsky.social and Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture, has raised £2.7m to support arts charities making a transformational difference in their communities. Thank you to everyone who took part! figurative.org.uk/news/arts-fo...

We're delighted to announce that our CEO, Fran Sanderson, is the #WISE100 Social Investment Champion of the Year! The judges praised her for 'blazing a trail' to bring more social investment to the arts and culture sector.

“The future is Birkenhead”🎶 Future Yard is making it real—building a thriving music hub for artists, creatives & the community 🎸 With #SocialInvestment from @figurative-org.bsky.social they secured their venue, strengthened their assets & invested in future growth! Read more 👉 buff.ly/nhZ7YGU

Congratulations to our wonderful CEO, Fran Sanderson, who has been shortlisted for the #WISE100 Social Investment Champion of the Year! Fran has worked tirelessly to develop and advocate for impact investment in the cultural sector which delivers huge positive impact for communities across the UK.

The #ArtsForImpact 2025 match funding campaign is now open. Over 280 impact-focused arts & culture charities are taking part to raise money for transformational projects across the UK. Donate via @biggive.bsky.social by 25 March to have your contribution doubled! donate.biggive.org/artsforimpac...

The #ArtsForImpact campaign is LIVE! From 18th – 25th March, donations to over 280 impactful arts & culture charities can be doubled, helping to bring creativity, joy, and transformation to communities across the UK. Donate now to have your donation DOUBLED: bit.ly/AFI-Double

Some great quotes and photos from Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture's first conference last week, exploring best practice in place-based philanthropy. Thank you to everyone who attended! figurative.org.uk/news/figurat...

Philanthropy is an increasingly important part of the arts funding mix - but are we doing enough to encourage it? Figurative's Michael Garvey has written about the exciting potential of place-based philanthropy efforts in @artsprofessional.co.uk www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

Figurative is a not-for-profit organisation exploring inventive business and funding models for the cultural and creative sector. Associate Michael Garvey argues that being able to articulate a common cause is most effective.

Funding Good Ideas in the Cultural and Creative Sector - interesting blog from @figurative-org.bsky.social on some of the best ideas that organisations have struggled to find funding for. figurative.org.uk/news/funding...

Are you considering closer collaboration with other organisations but unsure about your options? Join us in March for a free webinar exploring the spectrum of collaboration models – from informal alliances to full mergers. Thu 13 March, 1pm-2:30pm, online: figurative.org.uk/event/webina...

Over a third of our investments have led to transformative change for arts organisations, with more showing early promise. In our latest blog, our Chief Innovation Officer Seva Phillips discusses the common factors that seem to underpin such outcomes. figurative.org.uk/news/the-tra...

A conference sharing best practice in place-based philanthropy. A webinar exploring collaboration models in the arts. Research into how long-term loan finance can help cultural venues decarbonise. Our latest newsletter introduces some exciting new projects: preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...