Pulse

Pulse was launched in 2003 to support young people's arts projects that engaged with biomedical science.

The first round of the initiative supported 23 different partnerships or single organisations with grants between £3000 and £40 000. They engaged with topics as diverse as the science of left-handedness and the medicinal properties of the African cherry, and worked with an estimated 8600 young people (aged 10-18). Projects employed a range of methodologies, in most cases involving young people in a creative engagement with an area of contemporary science; and companies worked with art forms such as contemporary dance, drama and live arts. Professionals from science, arts and education engaged with young people through both the formal and informal sectors.

Subsequent rounds of the initiative between 2004 and 2006 broadened the range of work further, including visual and digital arts as well as performing arts and targeting a wider age group (ages 0-22). These further rounds supported an additional 24 projects with grants between £8000 and £50 000. Grant-funded organisations included secondary schools, higher education institutions, arts centres, museums and a range of independent arts organisations.

Alongside grant funding, the initiative included: a showcase conference in 2004 establishing a sense of a body of practice and a networked community; a DVD and print publication distributed in 2005 to a wider community of artists, scientists and educators; the online publication of an evaluation report in 2005; a seminar exploring interdisciplinary professional development in 2006; and a programme of workshops pre- and post-application for applicants and grantholders.

A comprehensive independent evaluation was conducted of the first round of the scheme, which is available as a full report [PDF 544KB] or in summary [PDF 384KB].

• Pulse 2005 and 2006
• Pulse 2003

Find out about our current arts funding programme, the Arts Awards.