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Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Repayable finance in the arts and cultural sector

Research identifying the current and future demand for repayable finance in the arts and cultural sector, as well as attitudes to borrowing.

Research identifying the current and future demand for repayable finance in the arts and cultural sector, as well as attitudes to borrowing.

Key findings

£29m worth of repayable finance was reportedly received by survey respondents in 2016

£309m of repayable finance is expected to be sought over the next five years (£62m per year on average)

41 per cent of organisations considering taking out repayable finance in the next five years would take out less than £150,000

54 per cent of this future demand is expected to come from outside London

64 per cent of organisations that have previously sought or taken out repayable finance say that it is a good tool to support their activities.

Today, we’re pleased to present the research undertaken by market research agency MTM London into the current and future demand for repayable finance in the UK’s arts and cultural sector.

We were interested in exploring the full range of financial products that arts and cultural organisations could be interested in, so we used the term ‘repayable finance’ throughout – encompassing secured and unsecured loans, overdrafts, blended grant-loan products, equity and other performance related debt. Over 1,000 organisations from across the country took part, 70 per cent of which were asset-locked entities such as charities and community interest companies.

Nesta will use this research to develop further impact investment solutions for the UK's’ arts and cultural sector, building on the work of the Arts Impact Fund.

Author

MTM London