Borough of Culture invites artists and creatives to apply for funding

Artists, heritage groups and creative organisations are being invited to apply for funding to get their projects off the ground during Wirral’s year as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture for 2024.

A total of up to £150,000 is available for Borough of Culture grants, which aim to grow the area’s creative sector and help local groups to celebrate Wirral’s year in the culture spotlight.

Councillor Helen Cameron, Chair of Wirral Council’s Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee, said: 

“Wirral has incredibly talented creative communities and active heritage groups, which we are determined to support through our Borough of Culture programme.

“This funding will kick-start dozens of projects across the borough, helping artists and groups to unleash their creativity, engaging residents, and enhancing our cultural and heritage offer, bringing new business opportunities that will all contribute to the borough’s ambitious regeneration plans.”

Organisers are looking for projects that contribute to one or more of the following Borough of Culture 2024 themes:

• Getting children and young people involved in culture and heritage and developing their creative skills and talents 
• Using arts, culture and heritage to improve people’s health and wellbeing and achieve other positive outcomes 
• Encouraging communities to participate in creative activities where they live 
• Telling Wirral’s stories and promoting the borough’s culture and heritage offer to local people and visitors
• Creating assets and opportunities which leave a lasting legacy beyond the Borough of Culture year

Projects that will increase access to arts, culture and heritage for individuals and communities who do not regularly participate in such activities will be especially welcomed.  

Councillor Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: 

“This is a great opportunity for many local community groups and individuals to not only get involved with Wirral’s exciting Borough of Culture celebrations but also for those people to deliver much welcomed creative projects which may not have been possible before.

“I’d encourage everyone eligible to apply and be part of what is going to be a fantastic year.”

Applicants do not have to be based in Wirral, but the project must be delivered in and for the benefit of the borough. 

The Borough of Culture title is awarded annually on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the Liverpool City Region, as part of the Combined Authority’s culture programme.

The grant programme has been made possible with funding from the Liverpool City Region’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation, managed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 

The deadline to apply for funding is 12.00 noon on Friday 15th March 2024. Successful projects will have until 31 March 2025 to spend all of the grant funding they receive, although it is expected that the majority will be delivered and spend all of their funding during 2024. All grant recipients will be subject to standard audit requirements (submission of receipts, etc.).

More info on Borough of Culture projects can be found here.