Improvements at the King's Hall and Winter Garden will be part of a programme of work for Bradford's City of Culture Year in 2025 thanks to another £5m of government funding.
Bosses say the additional cash will “ensure everyone in the district has the chance to get involved" in the celebrations, with the total now awarded by the government for City of Culture standing at £15m.
As well as providing money for existing arts venues, the extra £5m will help fund a mobile arts venue that will tour the district in 2025.
The extra funding was announced by Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant today (Saturday) and follows on from the £10m pledged by the previous Conservative government. Other funding has come from the Arts Council, National Lottery, Bradford Council and other sponsors.
The funding will help improve facilities at Bradford Theatres venues – St George’s Hall, the Alhambra, Alhambra Studio and Ilkley’s King's Hall and Winter Garden.
It will also help make a new touring venue – the Beacon – a success, and fund the development of new galleries in the National Science and Media Museum.
That pop up arts venue is due to appear in different parts of the district next year, with visits to Wibsey Park, Lister Park, Bowling Park and Cliffe Castle Park.
And the government believes it will encourage “the next generation of creatives with 6,000 training opportunities expected across the district and Bradford expecting to create 6,500 new jobs as a result of being UK City of Culture.”
Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:
“It will help with the operating costs for the year.
“We know that 2025 will be transformative like it was for Hull and Coventry – the year helps transform people’s understanding of the place.
“It gives people the opportunity to experience culture in a way they might not have done before.
“This money will help make venues accessible, and help support the almost 3,000 volunteers taking part.
“I visited Cartwright Hall a few months ago and we went through what is going to happen at the venue. They’ve already got a great art collection there anyway, and they’ll be getting some of the Government Art Collection too.”
Asked about the impact of the funding, and 2025, after the year of culture ends, he said:
“The money going to the Beacon touring venue – that is investment in the future. We want it to work as a proper touring venue – it is important that it is still used in 2026, 2027 and beyond. The money for St George’s Hall, that is helping leave a long term legacy.
“Not every cultural event needs to happen in London or the South East. We want all regions to flourish, we don’t want any cultural cold spots.
“We don’t want people living in areas where they can’t go to see dance, or music. This is a unique opportunity for Bradford to showcase what it can do.
“I cannot wait to experience the spectacular programme of cultural delights next year that will tell Bradford’s story to the world, showing off the district’s rich cultural heritage and diverse artistic talent."
Approximately 1,000 events will take place in 2025, with the year expected to attract an additional 3.3 million visitors and bring in a visitor spend of nearly £140 million into the local economy.
It is also estimated that the increased cultural and economic activity could leverage and accelerate an extra £700 million of growth for the Bradford district by 2030.
Highlights include an opening event curated by magician Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo), a year-long celebration of drawing supported by David Hockney, the annual Turner Prize being hosted at Cartwright Hall, the immersive Marshmallow Laser Feast (experiential artist collective discovering our connection to the universe) at the newly reopened National Science and Media Museum.
There will also be a re-imagining of the Jungle Book by the Akram Khan company, a celebration of the sounds, stories and voices of the South Asian creative underground – Dialled In, visual artworks on display in the moorland that inspired Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and a residency with Opera North.
Dan Bates Executive Director at Bradford 2025 said:
“This commitment to Bradford to enhance and develop its infrastructure, and ensuring our creative venues are accessible for all, will leave a lasting impact on generations to come. This investment is helping to shape a brighter, more dynamic future for Bradford and beyond.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said:
“We know the programme of events is going to be amazing and residents and visitors alike will have a great experience throughout the year.
“This latest funding will help to ensure that beyond the great events, our UK City of Culture designation leads to more jobs and economic benefits which will be felt positively for our residents for years after 2025.”
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