Arts Council Awards £8.5M to Boost Cultural Participation Across Northwest England

Arts Council England is investing millions in grassroots arts and culture projects across England through its Creative People and Places (CPP) initiative, targeting areas with below-average cultural participation. Salford's Re-Centre programme received up to £750,000 to empower local communities to lead and shape cultural activities, with partners including the University of Salford and Salford City Council. Similarly, The Cultural Spring in Sunderland and South Tyneside was awarded £1 million to continue engaging residents and supporting local artists and venues. In Peterborough, Peterborough Presents secured £800,000 to develop inclusive creative activities addressing barriers like relevance, transport, and cost in diverse communities. Derbyshire's Make/Shift and First Art projects received nearly £1.9 million combined to foster community-driven creativity in rural and urban areas by supporting local storytelling, skills sharing, and the creation of cultural spaces. These investments reflect a broader national effort to democratize access to arts and culture, empowering communities to produce and engage with creative experiences meaningful to them.