Cultivate Heritage

Creative Programming Approaches to Heritage

Considering your funding options? Don't overlook cultural heritage!

In this strand of our 'Birmingham Festival 2022 Legacy programme', we are raising awareness about The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s new funding programme ‘National Lottery Heritage Grants’ which was launched on 30 January. Through Cultivate Heritage, we want to help organisations design and pitch creative projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of communities across Birmingham and the West Midlands.  

Funding is not guaranteed, but this is an excellent opportunity for participants to learn more about this funding opportunity and co-create innovative and intersectional programmes with other local groups. Participants will also receive the opportunity to book 1-to-1 advice session with a member of the Heritage Fund’s Engagement Team, to discuss their proposed project idea.

Cultivate Heritage Programme Activity

  • Meet the Funder Webinar – National Lottery Heritage Grant Information and Q&A - 6 March, 12.00 - 13.30. Please note this event has now passed.

  • Information Webinar (Inclusion, Access & Participation) - 24 April, 12.00 - 13.30. Please note this event has now passed.

  • Heritage x Arts Connector Event  - 29 May, 13.30 - 15.30. Book here.

  • Legacy Project Development Support 

  • National Lottery Heritage Grant 1-1 Advice Session (limited availability) 

Aligned with The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033, we are particularly interested in supporting projects that align with the key priority areas identified within their new investment principles. 

  1. Saving heritage: Conserving and valuing heritage, for now and the future.

  2. Protecting the environment: Supporting nature recovery and environmental sustainability.

  3. Inclusion, access and participation: Supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access and participation in heritage.

  4. Organisational sustainability: Strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies. 

Applications to the National Lottery Heritage Grants programme must take all four investment principles into account, but the strength of focus and emphasis on each principle is for the applicant to decide and demonstrate.

By leveraging the power of arts, culture, technology and innovative programming, Cultivate Heritage seeks to preserve and celebrate diverse local histories and leave a lasting legacy.

Legacy Project Development Support

By leveraging arts, culture and creative programming, Cultivate Heritage aims to preserve and celebrate the diverse histories of Birmingham and the West Midlands, leaving a lasting legacy of Birmingham 2022 Festival. 

If you have a bubbly idea for a heritage project that needs some development or need some support to establish a new partnership, then we can help. 

What can we support with? 

  • Customised consulting to help refine early project concepts and ideas 

  • Project development and planning 

  • First read NHLF Grant applications – (emphasis on advice/feedback around the strength of investment principles in your application and project outcomes. 

  • Brokering a new partnership(s) or Introductions within our networks. 

Support available on request between April – June 2024 

To book a 1-1 – Email: charlenecarterjames@culturecentral.co.uk 

Drop-in advice sessions: May (TBC)

Expression of Interest

If you are interested in exploring creative ways to celebrate the city's heritage as part of Festival Legacy as a creative or community organisation, artists/freelancer and want to explore new partnerships and collaborations that align with NLHF investment principles, then please complete this short expression of interest form below for programme updates.

Header image: Andy Moore/Tappin’ In.