Arts Council England has overhauled its funding application process, promising to have a greater focus on “local expertise” in its decisions.

It is to create regional boards to “provide insights about local priorities”, which will involve gathering feedback from mayoral strategic authorities, which the government is looking to put in place in all areas of England within the next two years.

The aim is to ensure its investment programme “delivers the best outcomes for people in postcodes everywhere”.

This local focus has been revealed as it publishes guidance for its National Portfolio Investment Programme for 2028 to 2033, which has been shaped by an independent review of its work.

Arts charities, museums and libraries can apply from 20 October.

Funding will also last for five years, instead of three, to give recipients “greater stability and certainty to plan ahead”.

In addition, the funder has pledged to make its application process “more straightforward” with applicants now able to detail their work and ambitions “in their own words, with no attachments required or detailed delivery plans requested unless funding is offered”.

“Our new National Portfolio process delivers on our commitment to be easier to work with and even more connected to communities,” said Arts Council England chair Dawn Airey.

“It’s about opening up the conversation, so a broader range of voices can influence our investment decisions.

“It’s not right that where you live dictates what culture and creativity you get to enjoy. Through our new investment process, we promise to back excellent work that reflects what people value in their own communities, and reaches everyone, not just the well-off and well-located.”

Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley added: “For this National Portfolio process we’ve said we want organisations to focus on the work, not the paperwork. We’ve designed it with applicants, and they’ve told us it feels much more streamlined. We hope the improvements we’ve made will be welcome.

“Money is tight. This is going to be a really competitive investment round, and we’ll have to make tough decisions. We’re giving organisations an opportunity to tell us about their ambition in their terms, and we’ll support as much of that ambition as we can.”

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