Bath Spa University launches initiative to help creative businesses grow

Bath Spa University (BSU) is launching BSU Boost, an initiative that enables freelancers, arts and culture organisations, and micro-businesses from the creative industries in and around Bath to apply for grant funding that they would be otherwise unable to access.

Within Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) in 2023 it was reported that 89% of enterprises are micro-businesses with 16% classified as creative industry businesses. Yet many of these are currently excluded from applying for significant funding programmes and development opportunities due to financial or structural barriers, a lack of knowledge around contracting, legal requirements or governance, or the onerous burden of reporting required by many funders.

With many of its graduates and creative community amongst those trying to kickstart their business, BSU wants to help. Through its enterprise and innovation hub, The Studio, and its Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries, BSU has extensive experience of the challenges facing creative technology micro-businesses and freelancers in the city.

BSU Boost is here to help creative and cultural businesses in B&NES, or within ten miles of its borders, to access the funding needed to thrive.

BSU Boost can:

·       Offer support on application processes up to submission and beyond

·       Increase knowledge of how to access funds previously deemed unattainable

·       Help develop the business tools to grow and succeed

Celebrating this opportunity to support the local creative community, Stacey Pottinger, Producer of BSU Boost and Project Manager, Inclusive Communities Unit at BSU said: “We are really excited to launch this opportunity to work hand in hand with small creative industry businesses to support them to develop, grow and access new funding opportunities and markets previously inaccessible to them."

BSU Boost was piloted with the University’s cultural partner, Little Lost Robot CIC - a not-for-profit collective of artists working with social practice and managing community studios in B&NES. BSU were able to support Little Lost Robot CIC with bid writing, project administration, monitoring, evaluation and much more.

Reflecting on the successful BSU Boost pilot, Juliet Webb, Co-Director of Little Lost Robot CIC said: “We are so fortunate to have partnered with the BSU Boost team. BSU's support makes the difference between us having the ability to run the project or fading out of existence. The sharing of expertise and support has been fundamental to our success.”

Kate Pullinger, Academic Lead of BSU Boost and Co-Director of the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCCI), said: “Access to funding is one of the key barriers for many microbusinesses in the region. Boost will enable arts and culture and technology businesses to develop new income streams and new ways of working. Partnering with creative businesses enables BSU to increase its knowledge of and support for the creative industries in our City and region, which is a key part of CCCI’s mission.”

BSU Boost is currently open to applications for the 2025 cohort. To find out more about eligibility and to register your interest, visit the BSU Boost webpage.