Over £1 million of Arts Council England funding is coming into Calderdale each year between 2023 and 2026, to make the borough’s distinctive culture shine even brighter.
Five of Calderdale’s cultural organisations will benefit from three years of funding from Arts Council England, after it announced details of its new national portfolio of funded organisations for 2023-26 on Friday 4 November.
Arvon Foundation, IOU Ltd, Jazz North, Northern Broadsides Theatre Company and Square Chapel CIC will join art and culture organisations across the country to help more people enjoy fulfilling cultural events and creative activities near where they live, no matter what their circumstances or where they come from.
As well as reaching new audiences, the funding will also nurture the next generation of cultural and artistic talent, increasing opportunities for people of all communities and backgrounds.
Cllr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“Congratulations to all the Calderdale organisations that have been awarded this prestigious Arts Council England funding.
“We are proud of, and grateful for, the amazing work of local cultural organisations, which provide a great boost to our economy and bring so much pleasure and opportunity to people’s lives through music, theatre, literature and heritage. Thanks to the Arts Council money, they’ll be able to take the great things they do to the next level, ready for our eagerly anticipated Year of Culture 2024.”
The Arts Council England announcement came in the same week as the launch event for CalderdaleCreates, the network of creative professionals in Calderdale.
Over 100 people working in the arts, creative and heritage sectors attended the launch on Tuesday 1 November at Artworks Gallery in Halifax, to discuss the runup to Calderdale’s landmark Year of Culture in 2024.
Martin Sutherland OBE, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, opened the event by detailing the legacy and best practice from Coventry, the UK Capital of Culture in 2021. In a dynamic conversation with Laurie Sansom, Chair of CalderdaleCreates, Martin gave insight into how to build strong partnerships and work with local communities to deliver an effective cultural programme.
Bobsie Robinson, Calderdale Council’s Cultural Services Manager, updated attendees on the plans for the Year of Culture and introduced the Council’s new Cultural Programmes Manager, Kayleigh Boyle. Discussions and creative exercises provided one of many opportunities for the creative sector to get involved in building a world-class events programme and showcasing the distinctiveness of Calderdale’s culture as a partnership.
The mission of CalderdaleCreates is to deliver the Cultural Strategy for Calderdale 2022 – 2032, ‘Where Creativity Flows’. One of the strategy’s priorities is to build a thriving cultural scene where creative organisations, businesses and people are invested in so they flourish and play a unique, dynamic and effective role in wider society. The CalderdaleCreates launch event was part of a series of training and networking initiatives that will help develop creative skills and build capacity within the sector.
Cllr Jenny Lynn added:
“It was brilliant to attend the CalderdaleCreates launch, to discuss how our high-profile Year of Culture can have the biggest impact on all our diverse communities. Thank you to the wonderful Artworks, which does so much to engage local people in a wide range of art practice, for hosting this event.
“Calderdale’s culture is a key part of its distinctiveness, and making the most of this is really important for our Vision 2024 for Calderdale. That’s why we recently launched the new CultureDale brand to continue the development of the borough’s growing profile as a vibrant cultural destination.”
To find out more about the Cultural Strategy for Calderdale, please visit www.wherecreativityflows.co.uk(external link) This includes details of the training and networking events available.
For more information about CalderdaleCreates, please contact creativity@calderdale.gov.uk
People are encouraged to follow @CultureDale2024 and use #CultureDale on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to help promote culture in Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday, and there are just two years to go. Where do we want to be by 2024? What’s our ambition and what will be different? Find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision