We are looking for a Bid Writer
Bid Writer Brief – Arts Council Project Grant Application
• Contract type: Freelance/Consultancy
• Start date: May 2026
• Duration: Until submission of the Project Grant application (July 2026)
• Fee: £3000 to include all expenses
• Location: Hybrid; remote working supported with occasional on site meetings in Rugby
A bit about us
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum houses The Rugby Collection of over 250 British paintings, prints, drawings, photographs and video works by significant artists acquired since 1946. It also preserves an archaeology collection, dominated by Roman finds from the nearby town of Tripontium, and showcases local history and social heritage objects reflecting Rugby’s past. The local and social history collection comprises of thousands of objects that chart life in Rugby and the surrounding borough over time. It includes artefacts reflecting social, domestic, working and community life, such as industrial equipment from local firms like British Thomson-Houston and Lodge Plugs, everyday objects from residents, and the Reddings Photographic Studio Collection of around 25,000 mid-20th-century negatives documenting people, places and events in Rugby.
Project Overview
Rugby Art Gallery & Museum is seeking to appoint an experienced bid writer to support the development and submission of an Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grant. This grant will fund audience development works, community focused creative outputs and a structured public consultation programme designed to shape Rugby’s future arts and heritage offer. This work will generate meaningful community insight that will directly inform our redevelopment plans and strengthen a forthcoming National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) capital bid.
The appointed bid writer will compile our creative ambitions into a clear, engaging and criteria‑aligned application that demonstrates strong community need, strategic alignment and measurable impact.
Project Outcomes
The Project Grant will enable us to explore audience needs, community cohesion, connections with collections and hidden heritage narratives. Insights will guide the design of a future NLHF capital project aimed at modernising our building, improving accessibility and environmental performance, and enhancing cultural experiences for all.
Deliverables
Lead the Development of the ACE Project Grant Application
• Draft, structure, and refine the full application in line with ACE guidance and funding criteria.
• Ensure the proposal clearly communicates project aims, outcomes, community impact and strategic relevance.
• Prepare all supporting documentation required for submission.
•
Facilitate Internal Engagement
• Hold structured conversations with staff to clarify project purpose, scope, and intended outcomes.
• Support the team in articulating the need for the consultation project and its role in shaping future redevelopment.
• Identify key stakeholders and help shape a realistic, deliverable project plan.
Deliver a High Quality Submission
• Produce a clear and compelling Project Grant application.
• Ensure the application is ready for submission within the agreed timeframe.
• Respond to internal feedback and make revisions as required.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
• Demonstrable success in securing Arts Council England Project Grants or similar cultural/heritage funding.
• Strong understanding of public consultation, audience development and community f ocused project design.
• Proven ability to refine ideas into clear, persuasive narrative.
• Experience working with museums, galleries, or heritage organisations.
Essential Skills
• Excellent written communication and storytelling ability.
• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational and project planning skills
Desirable
• Knowledge of ACE funding frameworks.
• Experience embedding inclusion, accessibility, and environmental responsibility into project design.
Contract Details
• Contract type: Freelance/Consultancy
• Start date: May 2026
• Duration: Until submission of the Project Grant application (July 2026)
• Fee: £3000 to include all expenses
• Location: Hybrid; remote working supported with occasional on site meetings in Rugby
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
• A short proposal outlining their approach to the commission including evidence of relevant experience and their most recent success stories in similar bids
• CV or professional profile
• Two references
Please email proposals to RAGM@rugby.gov.uk by 5pm on Monday 20th April. We would like to thank Museums Development Midlands for funding this post through their Sense of Place programme.
|
