THE ARTS Council is putting its money where its mouth is by getting more funding to places like Bradford, its chief executive has said.

Darren Henley made his first visit to Bradford yesterday since taking up the top post six months ago.

Local organisations have been lobbying for more cash from the Arts Council, amid concerns too much money was being ploughed into London and other big cities.

Mr Henley said historically 60 per cent of the Arts Council's money had spent outside the capital, but this was now being increased to 75 per cent.

He said: "The direction of travel there is very marked, so we are putting our money where our mouth is. It is very important we take great art to everybody where they are."

And he said the Arts Council was working with Bradford Council to run workshops in the city telling organisations how best to apply for grants.

This has seen the amount dished out to Bradford art groups more than double, from £420,000 in 2013/14 to £962,000 in 2014/15.

He said: "One of the things we are doing is working with the council to increase the number of applications to our Grants for the Arts programme, so we have more artists making more great art in Bradford more of the time.

"Success breeds success, and that's what we are starting to see in Bradford."

Mr Henley said Bradford Council was enthusiastic about putting culture at the heart of the city, which was encouraging to see.

He said: "I think Bradford is a great city, one of our great English cities, with great heritage and great culture.

"So for me, it's really important that we invest our money in great places. Bradford Council is very far-sighted in its leadership and puts art and culture at the centre of its plans for the city."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, portfolio holder for culture, yesterday showed Mr Henley around some of the city's cultural gems, including the Impressions Gallery, National Media Museum and south Asian arts organisation Kala Sangam.

They also visited Farnham Primary School in Little Horton to see how schools were embracing art and music in the classroom.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said the work they had done so far had reaped real rewards, and the latest grants workshop held for arts groups earlier this month had been over-subscribed.

But she said the district still deserved more investment.

She said: "There is still lots to do.

"If you look at the differentials, we are still not funded to the same extent like places like Leeds and Manchester are, yet we are a city of 523,000 people with a large young population.

"So we are a really vibrant city which has a lot of talent which needs encouraging and sustaining.

"I am keen for us to build this relationship further to make sure we get the best deal for Bradford."