BRADFORD’S City of Culture year is likely to be awarded a further £6m today when West Yorkshire Combined Authority is expected to be its latest financial supporter.
The Authority will be asked to approve £6m in funding when it meets this morning – adding to the tens of millions already awarded to the year by Government, the Arts Council and Bradford Council.
A report to the Authority – which is made up of representatives from all five West Yorkshire districts, says the investment “represents very high value for money.”
And it “should be significantly positive, not just culturally but economically, for Bradford and the surrounding districts in West Yorkshire.”
The Authority, fronted by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, has already provided £300,000 worth of funding to Bradford 2025, and Thursday’s meeting will ask members to top this up with a further £5,700,000.
It comes after Bradford Council pledged £10m over several years to help fund the year, and the year was awarded grants of £10m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and around £10m from the Arts Council and National Lottery.
The year is expected to cost around £42m and more money is expected from business sponsors.
Bradford 2025 is being run by charity Bradford Culture Company Ltd.
The report to members of the Combined Authority says: “BD25 will be a year-long programme of cultural events, festivals and celebrations bringing both local and global audiences to the West Yorkshire region.
“As well as cultural impacts, the year will provide significant economic growth to the region and surrounding areas – all while showcasing West Yorkshire’s dynamic creative industries and heritage.”
Members will be told that investment in City of Culture will have a “benefit cost ratio” of 5.6:1 – meaning the year will bring in £5.60 for every £1 invested in the scheme.
The report says this is very high value for money, and says the bid for City of Culture had “unanimous and cross-party support.”
Ahead of the meeting Ms Brabin said: “West Yorkshire is the place to be for culture and creativity – more so now than ever, with the epic Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 just months away.”
Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "Bradford is a global city with connections all over the world. Representing the country that year is a real honour for us. We will be celebrating our vibrant, diverse culture and our rich history.
"This additional £6m of funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority is very welcome and shows the level of confidence our partners have in what will be an amazing year for Bradford, West Yorkshire and the UK."
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