Applications are now open for grants available to arts and events businesses in Bristol in a bid to boost recovery of the city centre and high streets.
The Cultural Investment Programme 2023-27 has re-opened for a second round to support Bristol’s cultural organisations, festivals, events, artists and the citizens they work with.
Money for project grants and unrestricted funding will be available for the arts and culture sector in an aim to uplift the sector and make it more accessible to the public.
Under the Cultural Investment Programme over £2.4m will be distributed over four years through three types of grant.
The programme, which was also made available last year, has been reviewed and improved following feedback from people working in the sector.
Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance, said: ‘Following an uncertain couple of years for the creative industries, it’s more important than ever that we continue to support arts and cultural activity in the city.
‘Our grant programmes will support the recovery of the arts and culture sector and also businesses across the city centre and Bristol’s high streets.
‘At the same time, we will nurture Bristol’s national and international reputation as a creative cultural city, to actively advance equality and diversity, and to respond creatively to need and support social change.’
Two streams of funding will also be available through the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme.
The programme will provide project funding to support cultural events and activities in the city centre, mainly focused in the priority areas of Old City, King Street, Park Street and Queen’s Road, and Broadmead.
The pandemic had a huge impact on the UK’s arts and culture sector and many businesses are still trying to recover from the damage.
A report from the University of Sheffield found that social distancing rules and lockdowns had a “catastrophic” impact, with output falling by 60% from 2020 to mid 2021.
Photo by Aranxa Esteve