Three million pounds for the arts and culture in Birmingham

The Commissioning of Cultural Activities 2022-23 cabinet report proposes revenue funding grants totalling £2,429,710 alongside Local Arts Development and arts project commissioning totalling £546,441, including £100,000 to support cultural programming for the Commonwealth Games.

The funding also supports the cultural sector as it recovers from the impact of COVID and builds back audiences.

Smaller Birmingham-based arts organisations will be commissioned to deliver projects for people with fewer opportunities to engage with culture, such as ‘Culture on Our Doorstep’ for adults in their local communities, ‘Next Generation’ for younger people and ‘Cultural Regeneration’ for residents from a culturally diverse background.

Cllr Jayne Francis, cabinet member for education, skills and culture, said: “It is vital that we invest in the city’s cultural offer alongside organisations such as the Arts Council, ensuring cultural activities are accessible and relevant to everyone.

“With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon we have a golden decade of opportunity in front of us. We have always said it is not just about world-class sport, but about the legacy for the city and region.

The Commonwealth Games cultural programme funding is in addition to the £2million fund to help residents in all 69 of the city’s wards feel involved with the Games that includes a cultural strand aimed at harnessing the power of culture to bring people together, celebrate their identities, and the culture, heritage and stories of their communities.

Revenue-funded organisations are: City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Birmingham Royal Ballet; Birmingham Repertory Theatre; B:Music; Birmingham Opera Company; IKON Gallery; Sampad; DanceXchange; Ex Cathedra.