Portsmouth’s creative sector continues to thrive. Portsmouth Creates in partnership with Portsmouth City Council have shared the outcomes of its latest UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) match funding initiative.
In the 2024/25 financial year, £57,029 was distributed to 20 creative small and medium-sized enterprises and organisations, unlocking an impressive £718,193 in additional investment from national funding bodies such as Arts Council England and the British Film Institute (BFI).
These results build on the success of the previous year’s UKSPF round and demonstrate the power of strategic, targeted investment in grassroots creativity. Through its role in managing the fund, Portsmouth Creates not only administered grants but provided tailored business support to each recipient, increasing the likelihood of long-term sustainability, growth and skills development.
The 2024/25 round saw support awarded to a diverse range of creative projects from street art festivals and refugee-led storytelling to immersive accessible technology labs, inclusive film screenings, and innovative youth programmes.
Examples of supported businesses and organisations include:
Gemma Nichols Executive Director at Portsmouth Creates said:
“This funding continues to prove transformational not only for individual creatives but for Portsmouth’s wider creative economy. Our goal is sector growth through support, skills development, and sustainable infrastructure. By pairing funding with guidance, we ensure that the sector are setting up for long-term success, through having the skills and confidence to grow.”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture said:
“Portsmouth’s creative sector is a vital part of our city’s identity and economy. This funding helps local talent to flourish, supports jobs and brings communities together through culture. We’re proud to back initiatives like this that deliver real benefits for residents and strengthen our creative future.”
This fund is part of Portsmouth Creates’ broader mission to build a thriving creative ecosystem through initiatives like Playlands Creative Hub , Portsmouth Creative Directory, Creative sector specific Business Support, We Create Markets and We Shine.