The Cultural Opportunities Fund supports Swansea University students and societies to develop creative skills, test new ideas and deliver projects, events and cultural activity.
It extends cultural support beyond the Creative Arts Scholarships, helping more students participate in and contribute to the cultural life of the university.
The Fund is open to registered Swansea University undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled on courses lasting at least one academic year.
Applications may be submitted by individual students, registered student societies or collaborative groups. Greater weighting is given to proposals demonstrating collective benefit or wider participation, particularly for larger awards.
The Open Activity Stream supports student-led events, performances and collaborative projects that bring creative activity to a wider audience. Its focus is participation, visibility and the value of culture within the student experience.
Projects might include exhibitions, performances, film screenings, festivals, cross-society collaborations or interdisciplinary showcases. Funding can help students take creative risks, test new formats or reach new audiences.
The stream is not primarily intended to support routine or recurring activity unless a proposal demonstrates clear development or added value.
This stream supports workshops, masterclasses and pilot projects that build creative or technical skills. It enables students and societies to trial ideas that may later become self-sustaining or form part of regular society activity.
Proposals may also develop transferable creative skills such as teamwork, communication and creative confidence, particularly where these contribute to student wellbeing and a supportive cultural environment.
Applications are assessed through a published process considering:
Expectations for reach and impact will be proportionate to the amount requested. Priority will be given to proposals making a visible contribution to student cultural life and demonstrating a practical plan for delivery.
Applications will be considered through a transparent student-informed decision-making process. Applicants should describe the proposed activity, who will benefit, the amount requested, how the funding will be used and how the activity will be delivered.
Application dates, available award levels and the assessment timetable will be published here when confirmed.
Successful applicants will be encouraged to share the outcomes of their activity through presentations, talks or documentation. This will help demonstrate impact and support future students developing cultural projects at Swansea.
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