PROGRAMMES: Comissions

Research and Development Commissions

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.

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.

Who can apply?

Artists and creative practitioners
Community groups and charities
Creative freelancers
Voluntary organisations
Informal community networks and partnerships
Community Engagement Research & Development

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.

Who can apply?

Artists and creative practitioners
Community groups and charities
Creative freelancers
Voluntary organisations
Informal community networks and partnerships
Community Performance Research & Development

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.

Who can apply?

Artists and creative practitioners
Community groups
Creative teams and collectives
Organisations experienced in community participation
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

Stage 2

Stage 1 is designed to help you explore, test and develop your idea. If you wish to be considered for Stage 2 funding, you will need to submit a new application when the comission opens.

However, completing a Stage 1 commission may strengthen a future Stage 2 application, as it can provide valuable research, community feedback, partnership development and evidence of how your idea could be delivered and create impact.