Small Venues Fund - Fund Administrator

Following the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA) Cabinet meeting in March 2026, North East Mayor Kim McGuiness announced a package of £104million to turbocharge the region's creative industries driving new jobs and opportunities for local people. As part of that package, a commitment was made to back small venues across North East England.

Working alongside the sector, the North East MSA's Small Venues Fund (SVF) has been developed to support creative grassroots venues, providing them with the resources and capacity to host events and provide space and a platform for creatives to thrive. It has been shaped to ensure that this fund is fit for purpose and supports an array of artists from across the creative industries. The fund will support an increase in opportunities for both artists and venue operators supporting the exposure of such facilities both within the region and further afield. The fund will open more opportunities to touring artists, providing an increase in the visitor economy and a wider economic impact.

The North East MSA is looking to appoint an external Fund Administrator with experience of public sector grant administration and knowledge of the creative and cultural sector to manage the programme from initial enquiry through to project closure. The fund will be delivered on a phased basis.

The successful bidder will provide a fully managed grant administration service for the Small Venues Fund. Services will include:

o Programme mobilisation.

o Applicant support and enquiry management.

o Expression of Interest management.

o Full application management.

o Application appraisal and due diligence.

o Independent assessment panel administration.

o Grant contracting and subsidy control compliance.

o Grant monitoring and compliance activity.

o Financial management and payment administration.

o Reporting and management information.

o Support for programme evaluation.

The overall project value is £2.45m million, of which £2.2 million is set aside for grant awards.

The value of the contract for the Fund Administrator is up to £250,000 excluding VAT, for the duration of the contract.