The Cultural Investment Programme 2023 to 2027:

• has a total grant budget of £2,442,240
• consists of three funds: Originators (1 year); Imagination (2 years); Openness (4 years)

Bristol City Council is facing a budget gap of about £52 million. Several savings proposals have been put forward across the council, which included the Cultural Investment Programme having a phased reduction over 3 years by making no further new commitments, but honouring the existing grant agreements. On 25 February 2025, the Full Council met to approve the council’s 2025/26 budget. Following this meeting, the proposal for the Cultural Investment Programme has been deferred for 12 months to enable a review of alternative funding options. This means the Originators and Imagination funds will not be opening as usual this year.

Visit the website for further information on when these funds are open

FFI: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/arts-and-culture-funding