£1m fund set to fuel the region’s cultural and creative industries
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will invest £1m over the next two years to capitalise on the potential of the region’s cultural and creative industries.
The investment in the arts, heritage and culture sectors will help to boost the economy, which already has an economic footprint of £1.1bn and provides jobs to nearly 100,000 people.
Funds are set to fuel a package of sector-specific skills and business support that early and mid-career freelancers, small cultural organisations and creative businesses say they need to help them develop and prosper.
Applications are now open to join the Activate programme, which will provide up to 100 individuals and small organisations with tailored workshops, mentoring, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and wellbeing support.
The programme will also include internships to get the next generation of talent into work within the cultural and creative sectors, helping to support the Mayor’s new flagship plan to tackle high levels of youth unemployment,
Future leaders will be supported through the Future Boards Accelerator, to develop the skills and confidence they need to take up positions on governing boards.
Later this year, small grants will be made available to pay for even more targeted learning and personal development opportunities.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “The West Midlands’ cultural and creative sector is one of the biggest in the country – and the people at its heart make a remarkable social and economic contribution to our region.
“They must be able to look to the public sector for our support and they have already told us that one of the biggest barriers to success is the lack of sector specific support to sustain and grow their businesses.
“That’s why we’re stepping in to launch this new Activate programme to unlock the potential of talented and creative entrepreneurs by helping them to gain new skills, make new connections, and access much needed grants.
“Tackling youth unemployment is key to my mission as West Midlands Mayor so I’m delighted we’re supporting young people taking those important first or early steps in their careers and also offering internships to support the next generation of talent coming through.
Skinder Hundal, chair of the West Midlands Cultural Leadership Board, said: “Our sector is resilient, evolving and focused on a future in which our exceptional talent, with the right support, will continue to thrive in a region which is home to the world’s most exciting innovators and storytellers.
“This continued support from the WMCA will help to ensure the arts and the creative industries flourish in the region, and I’m looking forward to seeing our artists and creatives develop sustainably and collaboratively.”
