It’s not always easy for community businesses to get their hands on the kind of detailed financial data that helps build a business case, and get an important local service up and running. This set of Success Guides by Power to Change supports you with some concrete data that can help you run a more ... Read more

A guide that helps you write the best business plan you can.  Based on preparing a plan that collates and clarifies your business model(s); is clear, coherent and realistic; has ambition and is attractive to stakeholders, funders and investors. Written by Dawn Langley and Susan J. Royce.

Susan Royce explains how business models can help build resilience and introduces the Business Model Canvas – a tool to help arts and cultural organisations review how they create, deliver and capture value.

Part manifesto, part toolkit, Tactics for the Tightrope by Mark Robinson shows how creative resilience can be a process of resistance not co-option, and can help anyone connect, collaborate and multiply the voices of creative communities, to move from hurt to hope. Published by Future Arts Centres.

This Digital Heritage Lab webinar recording will equip you with the necessary skills to start developing an effective fundraising strategy for your organisation. Michelle Wright explains how to create the right fundraising strategy for you, looking at how to strategically utilise different income streams and diversify your income portfolio. You will learn how to set ... Read more

The fifth edition of Now, New and Next from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy focuses on supporting arts, culture and heritage organisations to consider their responses to fundraising at a time of global crisis. It thinks through the next decade of impact, as well as how to effectively communicate with donors. It also suggests ideas as to how organisations might build crisis campaigns and to consider ... Read more

The full evaluation report of Prosper, a business support and action research programme, designed and managed by Creative United, that ran from March 2017 to March 2018. The aim of this programme was to improve business sustainability and resilience in the creative and cultural sectors, and complete research into the provision and use of business ... Read more

Stacey McIntosh has worked with the team at Sage to design an infographic tool for developing a business model canvas.

Discover how Mottisfont Abbey has become a sustainable year-round business and the positive impact investing in its infrastructure has had on increased visitor numbers and secondary spend income.  

In this Prosper resource Gill Thewlis explores the concept of Capacity Building within the context of the arts, cultural and heritage sector; and provides a seven-point approach to building capacity in organisations.

In this Prosper resource Gill Thewlis covers all you need to know to successfully manage change and growth within your organisation — from measuring success and capturing your ideas for growth; through to business planning and funding; and managing risk and change.

Jo Towler, Executive Director of Candoco Dance Company, spoke to AMA editor, Jacqueline Haxton, about how Creative United’s Prosper advisor Marina Norris helped Candoco develop its Business Plan during a time of organisational change.

In partnership with Coventry University, Prosper has produced Business Support and the Cultural and Creative Sector in England and Scotland: A Review. This in-depth review of business support activities in England and Scotland is part of Prosper’s vision to build a creative economy making arts accessible for all. It has been shared to help increase awareness and understanding ... Read more

Alison O’Hara joined New Writing North (NWN) in April 2017 with the responsibility of growing the organisation’s enterprise and trading activities. Prosper, Creative United’s business support programme for the arts, museums and libraries, is helping Alison and NWN to explore the development of new products and services.

Mungo Beaumont, co-founder and Producer at Middle Child Theatre, explains how Creative United’s Prosper programme is helping Middle Child prepare itself for official entry into the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.

Due to open in Autumn 2018, the new central library in Barnsley — Library @ the Lightbox — will become the cornerstone of the town centre with its striking design and transparent glass exterior. Lesley Stables, Library and Information Manager, explains how Creative United’s Prosper programme is providing valuable business support in the run up to the opening ... Read more

In their first Prosper vlog, Amar Patel and Daniel Oduntan from Soul Labels share the highlights and key takeaways of their experiences to date of  Prosper, Creative United’s business support programme designed specifically for arts organisations, museums and libraries.

Derby Museums are taking part in Prosper — Creative United’s business support programme for the arts, museums and libraries. Head of Development, Sue Jacklin, shares the experience of Derby Museums’ first meeting with Tracey Johnson, their Prosper business advisor.

Beth Alden is CEO at New Brewery Arts in Cirencester, an arts organisation with a craft focus. She is taking part in Creative United’s Prosper programme.

James West shares his recipe for creating one-pager and full business plans worth reading.