Bradford 2025: ACE awards £1m for legacy initiatives

More than £1m has been awarded to support the cultural sector and activities in Bradford as part of efforts to secure a legacy for City of Culture 2025.

The money, which is coming from Arts Council England’s National Lottery-funded Place Partnership Fund, has been awarded to support ‘The Bradford Way’ project until March 2026.

Bradford Council said the investment will enable an ambitious cultural programme to be developed for groups and people of all ages and backgrounds and build a “meaningful and sustainable legacy”.

Delivered by a new consortium comprising cultural community interest company The Leap, as well as Bradford Producing Hub, Bradford Council and Cultural Voice Forum, the project will help to develop existing and potential cultural sole traders and micro businesses and link them with support networks.

“This new way of working will encourage new and different people and culture to flourish, unite communities, develop skills, support the local economy and bring exhibitions and workshops into non-conventional spaces,” the council said.

One initiative being funded through ‘The Bradford Way’, is The Leap’s ‘Your Way Awards’ which will support a minimum of 17 community-led ideas through investment of between £2,000 and £10,000 alongside non-financial support.

Global majority communities will lead at least 50% of the project ideas supported.

The overall project will culminate in a sector-wide conference in 2026, celebrating achievements during 2025 and looking to the future of Bradford’s cultural sector.

‘Vibrant and creative for the long term’

Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “We are an agile, networked and resourceful district, so this extra funding will allow us to work collaboratively to support our beneficiaries wherever they are in their development, elevate voices that are sometimes less heard, and increase capacity and longevity in our freelance cultural sector.

“This will enable the Bradford District to be a vibrant and creative place to live, work and play for the long term.”

Pete Massey, director of north and northern economy and partnerships at Arts Council England, said: “The cultural landscape across the district of Bradford has grown significantly in the last number of years thanks to the vision of Bradford Council – it truly is an exciting place to be especially with the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme just around the corner.

“‘The Bradford Way’ will help to secure the legacy of both the UK City of Culture and initiatives before it to ensure creatives across the district are provided with opportunities to develop skills and grow their creative practice without having to leave where they are from.”