Five arts and culture projects in the West Midlands have been awarded a total of £4.6 million in funding to increase community participation in cultural activities. The grants, provided by Arts Council England, will support Creative Black Country, Reimagine Redditch, Outside in Staffordshire, Appetite in Stoke-on-Trent, and Rooted in Nuneaton and Bedworth, each receiving substantial financial backing to deliver local cultural initiatives.
This funding forms part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places (2026–29) portfolio, designed to help communities organize and engage with arts and cultural experiences, particularly in areas where participation is below the national average. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between organizations and residents to shape meaningful cultural activities tailored to their communities.
Individual grants awarded include £1 million each for Creative Black Country and Appetite, £975,000 for Outside, £900,000 for Reimagine Redditch, and £750,000 for Rooted in Nuneaton and Bedworth. Liz Johnson, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, emphasized that the funding will help unite organizations and communities to expand access to arts and culture across the region.
Project leaders expressed enthusiasm for the support, highlighting the impact it will have on their communities. Rachel Adams, director at Appetite, noted that the funding will enable the organization to continue engaging residents and delivering impactful cultural events in Stoke-on-Trent over the next three years. Laura Worsfold, CEO of Severn Arts, the lead organization for Reimagine Redditch, added that the grant will allow them to create a programme that is engaging and inclusive for all participants.
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