Figurative

Contact person: Rachel Green
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Figurative

Figurative offers unsecured loans of various sizes. Our finance is flexible, with the investment team working closely with applicants to meet their needs. Investment can be used, among other things, to scale up existing activities, launch new income streams or entirely new ventures, or to manage cash flow challenges.

Organisations seeking investment must have a clear social mission at the heart of what they do and create positive social impact for the individuals and communities they work with. We welcome applications from across a wide range of creative industries, including visual and performing arts, cultural heritage, literature, film and broadcasting, crafts, fashion and architecture. Combined arts and sector support organisations are also welcome to apply.

Figurative began life as Arts & Culture Finance, a division of Nesta, before merging with New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture and launching as an independent organisation in September 2024. In addition to raising and managing investment funds, we support the development of new business, funding and impact models for the cultural and creative sector through a variety of innovation programmes, research projects and advisory services. 

Our Funds

Our Funds

Case studies by investor

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Woman smiling while playing the guitar and singing. A mic placed in front of her. She's in a room with dark blue walls
Future Yard

Future Yard CIC is a social enterprise established in 2019 to use music as a force for good in Birkenhead and the wider Wirral area, with the ambition to reimagine the role of a community music venue. Alongside a busy programme showcasing exciting new music talent, Future Yard hosts an artist development hub and free skills training programmes to enable young people to pursue careers in the industry. The organisation has also committed to a long-term goal of becoming the first carbon-neutral grassroots music venue in the North of England, and one of the first in the UK.

Duration
9.5 years
Cost of capital
5.5%
Turnover
£30,000
Amount invested
£292,500
Year of investment
2020
Investor
Figurative
  • Product type
    Secured loan

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Inhouse records
InHouse Records

InHouse Records is the world's first fully functionally record label launched in prison. As a label for change, their mission is to see safer communities, fewer victims of crime and rehabilitation and employment for ex-offenders with a focus on dignity and aspiration. Since launching in September 2017, InHouse's work has engaged hard-to-reach populations both in prisons and through-the-gate, through music-based training programmes for prisoners and ex-offenders. With a focus on using music to improve core competencies and employability skills, its long-term goal is to help graduates lead empowered, fulfilling, and crime-free lives and, ultimately, to reduce re-offending.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
6.8%
Turnover
Not available
Amount invested
£97,00 (2019: £77,000 and 2021: £20,000)
Investor
Figurative
  • Product type
    Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)

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IRIE! Dance Theatre
IRIE! Dance Theatre

IRIE! dance theatre is the UK's leading dance theatre company delivering creative, educational and artistic activities in African and Caribbean dance. Based in the historic Moonshot Centre in South London, IRIE!'s mission is to support the personal wellbeing and community cohesion of the diverse population in its local area through dance.

The organisation has two distinct but interrelated strands of activities: a wide-ranging community offer across diverse dance styles for young people, adults, families, and older people; and a comprehensive education, training, and professional development offer spanning schools workshops, a degree programme, masterclasses, and residencies for emerging dance artists.

 

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
7.05%
Turnover
£382,850
Amount invested
£100,000
Investor
Figurative
  • Product type
    Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)