Funding for cultural partnerships between UK and Germany

A programme supporting the development of cultural partnerships between Germany and the UK has announced funding of £360,000 for 20 new and existing projects exploring themes and issues faced by communities from both countries.

Since 2021, the Cultural Bridge programme has supported 73 cultural organisations to work together through 35 partnerships, involving nearly 600 artists.

The 20 projects in the latest round were chosen following an open call in September last year that resulted in more than 130 applications.

Of the 20 partnerships, 12 are new and eight are existing connections, including six partnerships that have previously received funding from Cultural Bridge.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the British Council, the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London, and the Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International.

Projects receiving funding include Bridging Borders: A Collaborative Arts Exchange, a collaboration between Sheba Arts in Salford, and Iranisches Kulturfest/Termeh Festival in Munich; and Bridging Cultures: Digital Storytelling and Creative Connections for Community Empowerment, a collaboration between Intercultural Roots for Public Health in Coventry and MakingCulture® e.V. in Coburg.

Simon Mellor, deputy chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “We are delighted to continue our co-investment in Cultural Bridge for a fourth year.

“The programme has been enormously successful so far, fostering an exciting mix of both new and existing partnerships covering a wide range of community-led creative and cultural projects.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits that building these vital cross-border connections and sharing of ideas will bring to organisations involved in the programme both here and in Germany.”