BRADFORD is a "great arts and culture news story," according to Pete Massey, north director for the Arts Council England.

Here, he explains why the Arts Council is investing in the district:

"Bradford is a city with a heck of a lot going for it. It has an incredibly rich cultural heritage as well as a vibrant and diverse contemporary cultural offer. Combined with the beauty of the wider rural district and its rich architectural heritage, Bradford is already a cultural gem.

"This all adds up to a rich vein of creativity running through the district. Combined with a renewed sense of cultural purpose from Bradford MBC, and growing confidence in the cultural sector, we have seen an increase in cultural organisations, and more diverse organisations too, applying for our Arts Council funding programmes.

"It all adds up to Bradford being a great arts and culture news story. And I’m pleased to say that story is continuing this week.

"The Arts Council is the national development agency for arts and culture. It’s our job to look after the nation’s cultural treasures, and to make sure everyone can experience them and feel the joy and the power of art and culture in their lives.

"We’ve just announced details of how we’ll be investing nationally in arts organisations over the next few years.

"And that announcement includes three new Bradford organisations joining our national portfolio for 2018-22, in addition to the eight who have had their funding renewed for the next four years.

"These are bodies that will receive regular funding over that time. And the news is both a vote of confidence in Bradford’s future, and part of a bold vision we have for cities across whole of the North.

"One of Bradford’s newly-funded organisations, Common Wealth Theatre, tours across the UK and abroad, creating exciting, accessible site-specific work in places you might not normally expect to see it, and attracts audiences who might not consider traditional theatre venues are for ‘them’.

"The appeal to a broader range of audiences which Common Wealth - which has previously received £117,459 from our Elevate fund - demonstrates, is a key commitment for us now and as we go forward over the next few years. Simply, art and culture is, and should be, for everyone.

"And Culture Squared CIC, a second new addition, is another Bradford arts body which has embraced that through its programmes. The organisation runs the annual Bradford Literature Festival, which features writers from across the world but particularly with South East Asian and British Asian backgrounds, and last year reached more than 30,000 people through over 200 events.

"This year’s festival opens this weekend, and our funding commitment means the inspirational team behind it will be able to continue and expand its work over the next four years.

"The festival also receives support from the council, Bradford University, and significant private financial sponsorship. "Together this is a great example of different sectors coming forward to collaborate in supporting and nurturing the arts.

"And while the Brontë Society has previously received Arts Council support to fund programmes surrounding the bicentenaries of Charlotte, Branwell and Emily Brontë, it now also formally joins our national portfolio.

"It may not be a large attraction in a town or city, but the independent Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth punches far above its weight in terms of visitor numbers and reach – and it’s an important player in the cultural tourism industry in West Yorkshire.

"Bradford Literature Festival and the Brontë Museum are part of a very strong, and thriving, literature sector in the North. We’ve got stories to tell, and our own way of telling them.

"There is also increased investment for two existing regularly-funded Bradford organisations.

"One is the brilliant Mind the Gap, the largest learning-disability theatre company in the country, which continues to create dazzling and bold work for audiences both at home and abroad.

"The investment will help it to support career development for learning-disabled actors, and ensure it can continue with its inventive and invigorating artistic programme.

"Talent development and retention is also at the heart of funding for Theatre in the Mill, which is based on the University of Bradford campus and supports the creation of new and exciting work made by artists and companies from across Yorkshire and beyond.

"All this is good news for people in Bradford – those who create art, and those who experience it. And we know that participation in the arts and culture is key. Being in an audience is a shared pleasure. Taking part can, to put it simply, make you happier.

"That’s why arts and culture, whether it be going to a gig, watching a play, getting hands-on at a museum or enjoying an open-air festival, is a vital part of all our lives.

"It’s what makes the more mundane moments of living worthwhile.

"We know that Bradford knows this. There are exciting creative times ahead for the city, and we at the Arts Council can’t wait to share in them."