The District's arts and culture sector will benefit from over £1m from Arts Council England’s National Lottery-funded Place Partnership Fund awarded to support ‘The Bradford Way’ until March 2026.
The investment will enable an ambitious cultural programme to be developed for groups and people of all ages and backgrounds that will support an authentic step-change as we move through the year of culture in 2025, and build a meaningful and sustainable legacy.
Delivered by a new consortium comprising The Leap, Bradford Producing Hub, Bradford Council and Bradford Cultural Voice Forum (the inclusive home for all people working locally in the cultural and creative sector, whether in organisations or as a freelancer), ‘The Bradford Way’ will help to develop existing and potential cultural sole traders and micro businesses, whilst guiding them through a joined-up support network made possible by the consortium and this funding. This new way of working will encourage new and different people and cultures to flourish, unite communities, develop skills, support the local economy and bring exhibitions and workshops into non-conventional spaces.
The Leap’s Your Way Awards is one initiative being funded through ‘The Bradford Way’ which will:
- a minimum of 17 community-led ideas through investment of between £2,000-£10,000 and non-financial support via a dedicated Community Development Manager
- ensure that at least 50% of the project ideas supported will be led by global majority communities
- provide access to a community-led arts/cultural experience for over 5,000 people, in particular families and young people from communities in areas who have previously had less access to arts and culture in the Bradford District,
The investment will also support ten festivals across the Bradford district in 2025 in a soon-to-be-announced round of funding. ‘The Bradford Way’ will culminate in a sector-wide conference in 2026 celebrating all we have achieved in 2025 and looking to the future of the Bradford District’s cultural sector.
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said:
“We welcome this funding from Arts Council England. 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, North and Northern Economy and Partnerships, Arts Council England said:
“I’m delighted that we are supporting ‘The Bradford Way’ through our National Lottery Place Partnership fund. 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. I’m excited to see the work that is created through the programme by the organisations and cultural practitioners who will be supported.”
The Leap’s Director, Zulfiqar Ahmed, commented:
“Arts Council England is uniquely placed to help create innovative initiatives such as ‘The Bradford Way’ which will help promote and support arts and culture in areas of low arts engagement. The Your Way Awards put Bradford District’s communities at the heart of leading cultural activities for children and families. We anticipate thousands of people will benefit from a diversity of high-quality arts experiences through the programme.”
Lisa Mallaghan, Executive Director of Bradford Producing Hub said:
“BPH has been working informally with The Leap and CVF over a number of years, and ongoing support from BMDC has enabled us all to establish and grow. This new funding from Arts Council England comes at a really vital moment, ensuring that creative people across District can more easily access and benefit from the brilliant opportunities being offered. It’s an incredible time to be an aspiring creative in the Bradford District, and we’re here to provide the training, connectivity and support to help everyone succeed!”
Cultural Voice Forum’s Co-Chair, Vicky Clifton, said:
“Cultural Voice Forum is thrilled to be a key partner of ‘The Bradford Way’, a project generously funded by Arts Council England. This initiative not only empowers our communities and members but fosters innovation and growth within the arts and heritage sector, paving the way for a vibrant cultural future for Bradford”.
Please contact eventsteaminfo@bradford.gov.uk for more information about ‘The Bradford Way’.
