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Dear Creative,
This Spring East Devon bursts into life with festivals and cultural offerings, take look at the local press we have generated, including a link to the East Devon Cultural Map.
We love hearing how our Creative East Devon Fund (CEDF) has made a difference to local arts and culture: read Daisi's story.
Other news:
- Last chance to nominate for ACED Volunteer of the Year 2025
- Register for June ACED Network event
- Latest opportunities and funding
 Volunteers at Thelma Hulbert Gallery
Applications closing for ACED Volunteer of the Year 2025
Honour a volunteer’s outstanding contribution to your arts / heritage organisation or festival. Just submit up to 250 words about your volunteer and three words to describe them.
Deadline: Friday 9 May, 5pm.
Reminder - Summer ACED Network Meeting
Thursday 5 June, 6 - 8pm at A La Ronde, Exmouth.
This National Volunteer Week we will announce the ACED Volunteer of the Year 2025. Enjoy an optional tour of A La Ronde before the meeting, hear from Alison Palfrey, National Trust Volunteering & Community Officer on the value of volunteering, and make the most of networking with other creatives in the beautiful gardens of this unique property.
 Save the date
UP Projects and the National Trust invite you to the unveiling of 'Bodies of Water', a new sculpture created by artist Anne Duk Hee Jordan for A La Ronde.
Wednesday 4 June, 3 – 7pm
A La Ronde, Summer Lane, Exmouth EX8 5BD
Event includes family workshops, free refreshments and artist Q&A. Limited places, please RSVP info@upprojects.com by 23 May.
 Tash Daly (Folk Festival), Coco Hodgkinson (Sea Fest), Tim Clarke (Jazz and Blues Festival), Tara Greifenberg (Sea Fest), Stuart Nairne-Clark (Sidy Fest) and Louise Cole (Sea Fest).
May Highlights
Sidmouth Sea Fest: 17 May
Sidmouth’s homegrown festival is back in a new Sea Spot venue at Connaught Gardens. Renowned for its community spirit and welcoming atmosphere – all are welcome to their annual coastal celebration. Enjoy free music from 10am – 5pm.
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival: 23 – 26 May
This year's line up of international acts includes Soul II Soul, Gabrielle, Curtis Stigers, and Eric Bibb. Daytime performances on the main outdoor stage, free street music, free education programme plus free music at local venues.
Training
East Devon VCSE Support Surgery, 28 May, 11 - 4, Community Waffle House, Axminster. Book a slot at this free surgery for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations offering experienced guidance for your organisation.
 Opportunities
Screen Devon:
Nature Calling: East Devon National Landscape seek an enthusiastic artist to lead an exciting project connecting people with the East Devon and Blackdown Hills National Landscapes. Budget: £7,200. Deadline: 11.05.25.
Create Growth Programme: applications are open for a programme of free support including mentorship and tailored workshops to support 40 creative businesses in Devon until March 2026. Deadline: 26.05.25
South West Theatre Commission: for a new piece of touring theatre from a South West based company or artist. Fully funded 36-date minimum tour across the UK network (Sept-Dec 2026). Deadline: 29 August, 12pm.
Exmouth Cups: if you’re organising an event in Exmouth and would like to borrow a free box of Exmouth cups, please contact: zoey.cooper@exmouth.gov.uk
Volunteer Coordinator/Trustee: Poltimore House Trust is seeking a trustee to lead on recruitment, care and deployment of their growing team of volunteers. Hands on role with on-site presence at least one day a week, as well as participation in Board and Committee meetings. Deadline: 8 October.
Funding opportunities
DCMS Creative Growth programme: small projects: £20,000 - £50,000 for new products or services, large projects £20,000 - £50,000 with match funding. Contact Suzie.West@wearecreative.uk who attended our last ACED Network meeting for support. Deadline 29.05.25.
The Architectural Heritage Revival Fund (AHF): £15,000-350,000 grants to help communities rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings in town centres. Deadline: 27.06.25
The Dr and Mrs Alfred Darlington Charitable Trust: £1,000 - £5,000 grants for registered SW charities in Devon, to support projects for elderly people; socially excluded people; disability; medicine; nature conservation; and preservation of historic buildings. No deadline.
Creative Entreprise Business Builder: up to £2,500 for small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the screen-based sector. Ongoing funding.
The Art Fund provides funding to support museums, galleries and other heritage and visual arts organisations and their staff. This includes funding to improve and expand collections, research funding, student grants and travel bursaries. Deadline: follow link.
Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest voluntary and community organisations can apply for grants of £300 to £3,000 for activities that help to strengthen their community and improve their local area including Axmouth, Cranbrook and Beer specifically. Deadline: 13.07.25
Job opportunity or artist call to share? Send it to: aced@eastdevon.gov.uk. More funding and training opportunities and links to resources on ACED website.
Arts and Culture East Devon (ACED) is a network connecting the artistic communities of East Devon and providing a central platform to engage, network, promote and talk about arts and culture across the region.
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