Repayable finance in the arts and cultural sector

MTM London

This research was undertaken by market research agency MTM London into the current and future demand for repayable finance in the UK’s arts and cultural sector. 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.

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.

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.