Cultural Action Areas programme
We are pleased to announce new grant funding that will establish or extend Cultural Action Areas (CAA). These areas were formerly called Cultural Action Zones and are still known as that outside Birmingham.
Investing in culture can help grow local economies by creating a diverse cultural and heritage offer for our local centres. Even small investments can make a big difference.
The programme is based on a pilot nine with nine Cultural Action Zones conducted by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership from 2020 to 2022.
Cultural Action Areas will play a major role in driving place-based economic recovery by re-animating high streets and local centres with a diversified cultural and heritage offer, new uses for retail spaces and under-utilised buildings, improved access to community activities alongside improvements to facilities. CAAs also improve community cohesion, business resilience and improve life changes for Birmingham citizens, such as through volunteering.
The programme is run by the Cultural Development team and is funded through its Enterprise Zone. Grants can be used in any Birmingham ward, ranging from £20,000 to £100,000, with an average award of £55,000.
Additional cash, income, or in-kind resources (also known as match) will be required. In total, this program will distribute £1,435,000 in grants until March 2029.
Round 2 funding opens on 29 April 2024 and plans to distribute £325,000 of grants for up to six applicants on the following timetable:
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 29 April 2024 | Round 2 call opens |
| 17 June 2024 |
Round 2 call closes at midday (7 weeks later) |
| 12 July 2024 | Round 2 awards announced, contract by early August |
To find out about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a grant, download the following documents:
To register your interest in this round 2 funding call, email us at art.grants@birmingham.gov.uk. Write ‘CAA Registration’ in the subject field.
We will send you the round 2 application form along with registration details for the upcoming free workshops, Q&A sessions, and one-to-one sessions.
Page last updated: 26 April 2024
