PROGRAMMES: Comissions
SO Festival Community Commissions
Funding for Creative Community Projects
Key Dates
- Online launch event: 1 December 2026, 11am-12pm
- Applications open: 1 December 2026
- Application deadline: 5 January 2027, 10am
SO Festival Community Commissions support artists, creative practitioners, community groups, arts organisations and local partners to deliver ambitious, community-focused projects that make a positive difference in Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Through four commissions worth up to £5,000, we’re looking for projects that bring people together, celebrate local stories, encourage participation and strengthen connections within communities.
Whether your project focuses on performance, heritage, wellbeing, the environment, young people or community life, we want to hear your ideas.
About the Commissions
SO Festival is offering four commissions to support the delivery of public-facing creative activity across Skegness and Mablethorpe.
1. Community Performance Commissions
2 commissions available
£2,500 each
Supporting the creation and delivery of new community performances as part of SO Festival 2027.
2. Community Engagement Commission (Skegness)
1 commission available
£5,000
Supporting creative activity that encourages participation, builds local connections and contributes to the cultural life of Skegness.
3. Community Engagement Commission (Mablethorpe)
1 commission available
£5,000
Supporting creative activity that encourages participation, builds local connections and contributes to the cultural life of Mablethorpe.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from:
- Professional artists
- Creative practitioners
- Creative teams
- Community groups
- Arts and cultural organisations
- Community-led organisations
- Local cultural partners
We particularly encourage applications from people and organisations based in Lincolnshire, especially those working in and with the communities of Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Applications from outside Lincolnshire are welcome where there is a clear commitment to working with local people, communities and places.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking projects that:
- Deliver new public-facing creative activity
- Increase participation in arts and culture
- Build partnerships between artists, organisations and communities
- Create lasting impact and legacy
- Connect with SO Festival 2027 and wider community engagement programmes
- Have potential for future development, partnerships or external funding
Successful projects will demonstrate strong community relevance, meaningful participation and clear benefits for local communities.
Priority Themes
Projects should align with one or more of the following themes:
- Heritage and storytelling
- Young people
- Older people and community life
- Health and wellbeing
- Nature and environment
- Tourism and place-making
- Community cohesion
These themes are intended as a guide, and we welcome creative approaches that respond to the needs, interests and aspirations of local communities.
Join the Online Launch Event
Interested in applying? Join our free online launch event to learn more about the commissions, hear what we’re looking for and ask questions about the application process.
Date: 1 December 2026
Time: 11am to 12pm
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
The session is open to anyone considering an application and is a great opportunity to find out more before submitting your proposal.
Book your free place below.
Research and Development Commissions
NOW CLOSED FOR 2026/27 APPLICATIONS
Turn ideas into action with a £500 Research & Development Commission
Whether you’re an artist, creative freelancer, community group, charity, volunteer-led organisation or local resident with an idea, SO Create can help you explore what could be possible.
We’re offering three £500 Research & Development commissions to support people and organisations who want to test ideas, build partnerships, engage communities and develop projects that could grow into something bigger. Applications are open to individuals, groups and organisations of all sizes.
Who can apply?
- Artists and creative practitioners
- Community groups and charities
- Creative freelancers
- Creative teams and collectives
- Voluntary organisations
- Informal community networks and partnerships
- Organisations experienced in community participation
Available Commissions
1. Community Engagement Research & Development: Mablethorpe
Develop and test an idea that brings people together through creativity, culture, wellbeing, learning, heritage, community activity or local participation.
We’re looking for ideas that respond to local needs, interests and opportunities, helping to strengthen community connections and explore new ways people can get involved in cultural activity.
2. Community Engagement Research & Development: Skegness
Explore how creative activity can support communities, encourage participation and contribute to the cultural, social and creative life of Skegness.
Funding can support early-stage ideas, partnership building, community consultation, workshops, testing activities or research that could lead to future projects and funding opportunities.
3. Community Engagement Research & Development: SO Festival 2027
Do you have an idea for a community performance that could be developed for SO Festival 2027?
We’re looking for artists, creatives and community groups who want to explore new performance ideas inspired by local people, places and stories. This commission supports the early development of projects that could potentially be presented as part of SO Festival 2027 in Mablethorpe and Skegness.
Priority Themes
All proposals should respond to one or more of the following themes:
- Heritage and storytelling
- Young people
- Health and wellbeing
- Nature and environment
- Tourism and place-making
- Community cohesion
What We’re Looking For
We want to hear from people with ideas that:
- Benefit local communities
- Encourage participation and collaboration
- Build new partnerships
- Explore local issues, opportunities or stories
- Have potential to develop beyond the research phase
- Are inclusive and accessible
- Can be delivered within the £500 budget
You do not need to have a fully developed project. We’re interested in ideas, conversations, testing approaches and learning what might work.
Funding
Each commission offers £500 Research & Development funding
This funding can be used to:
- Explore and test an idea
- Work with community partners
- Run pilot activities or workshops
- Consult local people
- Develop plans for future projects
- Gather evidence for future funding applications
Key Dates
Application deadline: 27 October, 10am
We may contact applicants for a short conversation if we need any additional information.
Notification of outcome: 6 November
This is Just the Beginning
SO Create is a two-stage programme.
The commissions available now are part of Stage 1, supporting early research, community conversations, partnership building and idea development.
Stage 2 will open in December 2026, offering further opportunities.
Join our mailing list and be the first to hear when Stage 2 launches.
Join the SO Festival Mailing List
If you’re interested in taking part in one of our programmes, projects or opportunities
please email sofestival@mvtlc.org
