2.1. Overview

Cultural participation in Bradford is diverse and vibrant, with a range of events and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. The district has a rich history and cultural heritage, with a strong emphasis on music, art and literature. Bradford has a bustling arts scene, with 54% of the visitor economy coming from arts and culture²⁷. In 2022 Bradford was chosen as City of Culture 2025, and this will see new investment in the arts ecology of the district with 1,000 new performances and events planned and 365 artist commissions.²⁸  

Bradford is home to many cultural institutions and organisations, including the National Science and Media Museum, the Alhambra Theatre and the Bradford Literature Festival. There are also numerous community-based arts organisations and galleries that provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their work and engage with the community.

The district hosts a range of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including BD:Festival, Bradford Eid Festival and Bradford Literature Festival.

There are two key topics covered in this section: 

• Cultural engagement (drilling down to explore local variations in engagement) and 
• Cultural assets and funding for culture.