Bradford City of Culture 2025 receives £20m cash boost

Government, Arts Council England (ACE) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) have all announced investment in Bradford’s City of Culture 2025 programme of events.

Their combined funding, totalling almost £20m, will support the delivery of Bradford’s programme of cultural activity over the year, which is expected to feature 1,000 performances.

According to statistics shared by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the programme of events is expected to attract 15.5m visitors and bring in an additional visitor spend of £136.9m into the local economy.

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Today’s announcement sees DCMS invest £10m, while ACE is allocating £5m in National Lottery Funding and NLHF is awarding £4.95m that will go towards specifically developing a programme of activities to bring the diverse heritage of the city to the fore.

“We are investing £10 million in the city this year to help prepare for the event so we can make sure it stimulates new jobs and growth in the local economy through culture,” Culture Minister Stuart Andrew said.

“We want to open up access to the arts, create opportunities for young people, and inspire our next generation of writers, artists and performers.”

NLHF Chief Executive Eilish McGuinness added: “We have seen first-hand the transformational effects that an exciting heritage programme can bring, creating a deeper sense of place, pride and identity”.

“We look forward to our funding opening up heritage for all those who live, work and visit Bradford, to celebrate and enjoy.”

Dan Bates and Shanaz Gulzar, Executive Director and Creative Director at Bradford 2025, said: “Funding support is essential for us in delivering against our ambitions and creating an unforgettable year that Bradford needs and deserves”.

“Over the coming months, thanks to the funding announced today, we’ll be able to progress key projects that will enable us to provide the opportunity for everyone in the district to engage in Bradford 2025 in some way – whether that is by attending an event, participating in a workshop, creating a performance or volunteering.”

And Leader of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said the funding is “welcome good news”.

“It’s further evidence of the willingness to invest not just in a global Bradford and in the cultural and physical regeneration of our city, but in the young people who will help shape its future.”

“We will also be the largest, most ambitious and the first district wide City of Culture bid ever so we also remain optimistic that we will see more funding of this sort from government in the near future.”