Birmingham's arts organisations set to receive major funding boost despite council crisis

Arts, cultural and heritage organisations in the West Midlands are set to benefit from a funding boost, the Mayor has said.

In his Budget yesterday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced £10 million would be handed to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support such culture and heritage projects across the region, subject to a business case.

The WMCA says it doubles the amount of money it is now pumping into arts, culture and heritage, which includes £6 million from the Commonwealth Games underspend. A further £4 million has come to the region as a direct result of the ‘deeper devolution deal’ agreed between the West Midlands and government one year ago, the authority added.

The WMCA says its much-needed funding is already supporting live events across the region, with £1.5 million to ensure events such as this year’s Black Country Festival and Birmingham Weekender can take place. It is also helping to protect under-threat heritage buildings including the historic Golden Lion in Cannon Hill Park.

Birmingham’s cultural scene in particular was dealt a worrying blow last month, with flagship venues, such as Birmingham REP and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, recently being rocked by the city council’s plans to cut cultural grants.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said the new funding boost would give the region’s cultural section a “timely shot in the arm.”

“The benefits that our vibrant arts, cultural and heritage scene brings to our region should not be underestimated,” he said. “It attracts tens of thousands more visitors to our region from across the UK and beyond.

“But after weathering the storm of Covid, many organisations in this vital sector are now fearful of being held back as the existing funding streams they rely on either slow down or in some cases start to dry up completely.” He continued that he went to see the Chancellor two months ago to personally lobby for more cash.

“The Chancellor heard my calls and has made £10 million available in his Budget, which we will now double to £20 million using our own funding,” he went on to say. This will give our cultural sector a timely shot in the arm – not least in the wake of Birmingham City Council’s cuts – as we continue to build on the successful legacy generated by the Commonwealth Games.

“It also means we can put more money directly into the hands of those cultural organisations, big and small, that enrich our lives on a daily basis.”

The WMCA said local authorities will share £2 million to directly support “hyper local activity” within their communities and cultural organisations. Money is also going into help organisations grow and to provide the region’s first business and networking support for its army of almost 10,000 freelancers, it added.

What has Birmingham City Council said?

Cllr Saima Suleman, cabinet member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at Birmingham City Council, said she would be making the case to the Mayor for the funding to be used to “support the projects that matter most to the people of Birmingham.”

“I acknowledge that this is a difficult time for the sector,” she continued. “In addition to the difficult decisions on grant funding that this council and other local authorities are having to make, Arts Council England funding has been slashed by 30 per cent since 2010.

“However, I am wholeheartedly committed to working collaboratively with our partners across the region to bring new funding into our city to support our diverse creative arts and culture scene.”

WMCA statement

Alex Claridge, the WMCA’s Night Time Economy Advisor, also welcomed the news, saying: “Throughout my tenure, I’ve insisted culture, arts, heritage and hospitality – which are heavily represented in the NTE – are not luxuries but real cornerstones of this region that require decisive support.

“Whilst the work is never finished and we know we need to keep going, this new funding will allow us to make significant impact across the region and, perhaps as importantly, I hope sends a message to the brilliance in this region that we see you and will do anything we can to stand by you.”