Cross artform

Birmingham City Councillors are being asked to approve a standstill culture budget of nearly £3m for 2022/23.

The local authority says smaller arts organisations will be commissioned to deliver projects for underserved communities as the sector builds back from Covid and prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Funding for major organisations including City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet; Birmingham Repertory Theatre, IKON Gallery and Ex Cathedra will be maintained.

While it wants to continue supporting its current portfolio, the council says it needs to allocate funding differently in light of Arts Council England's new priorities and a decrease in arts funding over the past decade.

"Whilst there are many excellent arts organisations in the city, the reduced arts budget has meant that it has been difficult enough to sustain the existing portfolio."

Eight places longlisted to become UK City of Culture in 2025 handed in their bids this week.

Bradford, Cornwall, County Durham, Derby, Southampton, Stirling, Wrexham, and a coalition of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon were each given £40,000 to develop their applications before the deadline on Wednesday (February 2).

The competitors have been tight-lipped about their plans for the most part. Cornwall said its bid is "a call to action about how we all need to address the environment crisis", whilst Southampton is planning a giant circus show for its opening ceremony if selected.

DCMS will now consider the applications. A shortlist is expected next month, with a winner to be announced in May.

Northern Ireland’s creative industries are set to benefit from a share of a £10m jobs and skills fund.

The Covid Recovery Programme Employment & Skills Initiative will support community services, including arts, heritage and creative industries, in their recovery from Covid-19.

The three-year commitment is the first multi-year investment into these industries' recovery in Northern Ireland and a direct response to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce Report commissioned by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.

Hargey said the initiative will fund new entry level jobs and increase the capacity of existing staff.

“This should bolster organisations to better survive and thrive post pandemic,and therefore help stabilise these sectors to continue to deliver their services for the public good.”

The third round of Wales' Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) is open, with organisations that have not previously received support eligible to apply.

£15.4m is available in total, though £2.2m has already been awarded to over 88 applicants.

Businesses must prove their turnover fell by at least 50% during the past three months compared to the same period pre-pandemic.  

The Welsh Government's Cultural Recovery Fund is open to all cultural organisations and is separate to Arts Council of Wales' Cultural Recovery Fund, which is available to only arts organisations. 

The previous two rounds provided £93m to organisations and individuals across Wales' cultural sector.

“We are fully aware that these impacted sectors continue to face new pressures,” Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said.

Applications close February 11.