Creating opportunities through culture

The West Midlands Cultural Sector: Ready to Deliver

This paper draws together Baroness Hodge’s review of Arts Council England, ACE’s new strategic framework, and Andy Burnham’s keynote policy speech at the People’s History Museum in Manchester – setting out his vision for a ‘rewired Britain’ and a ‘new direction’ for the country. The West Midlands Cultural sector is already delivering against the crosscutting priorities and ambitions outlined by Baroness Hodge, Arts Council England and the new Prime Minister. In this paper we outline three key areas of our work that present opportunities to grow and embed these priorities for the benefit of the people and places of the West Midlands.

Culture Central and its members, support Baroness Hodge’s review of Arts Council England, are ready to realise the ambitions of Arts Council England’s new strategic framework and deliver against Prime Minister, Andy Burnham’s priorities for government. As cultural and creative organisations and individuals working across the West Midlands, our vision and ambition for the people and places of the region, alongside our role in supporting and enabling creativity and culture are making the region a better place to visit, work and live in.

The West Midlands cultural sector is already responding to national priorities for culture, and this paper highlights the existing infrastructure and partnerships that are ready for investment and the opportunities that will accelerate impact for people, communities and places.