Culture West – Support for the Creative Sector in the West of England

An ambitious two-year programme to support the creative sector is underway across the West of England. 

The programme, Culture West, will open up the sector to more diverse talent, ensure more communities create art experiences and build a resilient sector that will drive economic growth in the region.

The total programme funds are £3.1m with £1m from Arts Council England, £1.5m from the Mayoral Combined Authority and £640,000 from regional partners.

The investment will be used to provide more work for creative professionals across the West of England and increase access to creative spaces, give mentoring and business advice for freelancers, start-ups, and established sector organisations, commission new festivals, and provide industry-led skills training and advice.

18 organisations, comprising the unitary authorities, universities, agencies and service providers, are working together to deliver 12 projects. 

North Somerset Council is a lead partner along with Bath Spa University to deliver an Arts Membership Scheme across North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.  This project will pilot a membership offer for arts and culture in North Somerset, similar to a gym membership, linking up arts spaces and institutions to offer a more comprehensive network that supports more people to be creative and artists to access the tools, spaces, equipment and community needed to work in the arts.

However, all projects in the programme are open to creatives based in North Somerset.

Further information on the programme can be found here: Culture West – West of England Combined Authority (westofengland-ca.gov.uk)

For further information on the Arts Membership Scheme contact Josyanne.clarke@n-somerset.gov.uk