A DELAY to the announcement of the next wave of Arts Council funding has been described as a “crap situation.”

On Wednesday, the Arts Council was due to announce its 2023 – 2026 investment programme – which would detail which organisations would be granted ongoing funding for this period.

With Bradford’s City of Culture year falling in this period, there were high hopes that Bradford organisations would be included in the announcement.

However, on Tuesday the Arts Council said the announcement was being postponed after discussions with Government.

A spokesman for the funding body said: “Following discussions with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, we have agreed to delay the announcement of the organisations joining our 2023-26 Investment Programme.

"The announcement of the portfolio will instead be made as soon as possible.”

Arts Council England’s Chief Executive, Darren Henley said: “We feel for everyone awaiting the outcome of their funding application.

'Portfolio' funding bid could transform Bradford's museum's service

“We recognise the importance of giving organisations certainty to enable business planning and we know a delay will cause some disruption.

“We thank everyone for their patience.”

After the announcement Alex Croft, creative director of Bradford-based Kala Sangam, tweeted: “Delay to the announcement is obviously MASSIVELY stressful for those of us waiting on results, but as a former RM (Relationship Manager) please don’t go off on ACE.

“They likely got zero notice and are as annoyed as all of us. Crap situation all round.”