CREATIVE BLACK COUNTRY secures £1m investment from Arts Council England for projects across the Black Country from April 2022 and March 2025

Funny Things 2019 - Pigeon Pals in Wolverhampton - image by Dee Patel

Arts Council England has today announced that a total of £38.3 million will be invested in Creative People and Places projects over the next three years - made possible thanks to National Lottery players - to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.

Since 2012, Creative People and Place projects have brought together community, grassroots, and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating, and taking part in arts and cultural activities that their local communities want and need.  

On securing the latest funding the Creative Black Country Partnership said:

“We’re delighted with the news that Creative Black Country has been successful in becoming a Creative People and Places National Portfolio 22-25 programme.

Creative Black Country work with communities in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to explore and develop new creative projects with local people in the places where they live.  

This investment will build on our learning from the past seven years for a new phase of work, making the most of local talent and working with people to discover, explore and grow an exciting, meaningful and accessible programme of arts activity across the Black Country.”

Up until 2021, there were over 7.4million people engaging with Creative People and Places projects, 83% of which involved people that do not regularly engage with arts and culture. The far-reaching impact of the programme continues through enabling over 17,404 volunteers and over 1000 local partners to take part - including a haulage firm, a rugby club and several housing associations - all helping to put creativity at the heart of local communities.  

This new round of funding, means that every National Lottery ticket purchase contributes to more villages, towns, and cities up and down the country being able to thrive through a collaborative approach to culture - from Wigan to Walsall, from Rochdale to the New Forest, and from Boston to Basildon. 

A total of 39 Creative People and Places projects, 11 of which are brand new, will be supported covering 56 local authority areas, taking total investment for the period between 2022 and 2025 to £38.3million, and total investment rising to £108million since inception of the programme in 2012 up to 2025.  

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:

"Everyone, no matter where they are from, should be able to experience arts and culture. The fantastic Creative People and Place projects help make culture more accessible and strengthen bonds in local communities. I'm delighted that this £38.3 million funding will make sure more people across the whole of England have access to brilliant cultural and creative activities on their doorsteps."

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said:

“These projects change villages, towns and cities for the better, helping people to lead happier, healthier lives.  Our new investment means more people in more places across England will benefit from that magical spark of possibility, innovation and invention that only happens when culture and creativity becomes part of their daily lives.”