South West

Our funding in the South West

The South West is home to 117 National Portfolio Organisations and between 2023-26, they will receive a combined investment of more than £111 million. We also invest in many more artists, creative practitioners, and arts and cultural organisations through our National Lottery Project Grants and our body of Development funds.

A group of six people are standing gathered around a stagebox in a room. They appear to be in a discussion and looking at a phone that one person is holding up.

Shaping Up event 6 May 2022, Garba dance originating in Gujarat, India. Choreographed by Sonal Patel. Image credit Thom Hobbs

South West 2023-26 National Portfolio

National Lottery Project Grants

Of Earth And Sky. Image courtesy Gloucester Culture Trust. Credit Fluxx Films.

Our funding in action

We’ve awarded £500,000 to Gloucester Culture Tust through our Place Partnership Fund, bringing the collective financial support to £1.5 million for a more inclusive cultural offer in Gloucester.

Find out more

£1.5 million set to build a more inclusive cultural offer in Gloucester

7 March 2024

We have awarded £500,000 from our National Lottery Place Partnerships Fund for a three-year cultural initiative, Together Gloucester.

3

Bristol Beacon: A live music landmark shines anew

30 November 2023

A defining moment of cultural transformation in the South West.

4

Portsmouth awarded £650,000 to strengthen creativity and culture

24 October 2023

Working with the local community and grassroots organisations, partners will improve inclusivity across the sector and advance the city's creative offer.

Crying Out Loud's project Pirate Taxi by Pirates of the Carabina, part of the Circus Around and About rural tour, 2021

5

Eight new people to join our South West Area Council

7 July 2023

Today, we have announced that eight new people will join our South West Area Council. They are drawn from the creative and cultural sector and local government and play a crucial role in influencing the Arts Council’s decision making and supporting the cultural and creative landscape of the region.

The Nature of Why 2018 - Southbank Centre - Paraorchestra

6

Putting communities at the heart of the city through creativity

9 February 2023

‘Co-creating the Public Realm’ - a city wide project giving Southampton’s cultural ambitions a further boost, reflections on a recent Arts Council Place Partnership investment and the city’s future

In an outdoor setting, a group of musicians walk together wearing traditional red and white outfits.

7

Over £111 million new Arts Council investment in the South West

17 November 2022

Find out more about the South West National Portfolio for 2023-26, ensuring more people in more places can have access to fulfilling art and culture on their doorsteps.

Trigger - The Hatchling. Photo credit Dom Moore

8

Priority Places

As part of our plan for achieving Let’s Create, we’ve identified a number of places across England with low investment and engagement which we’re prioritising working with from 2021 to 2024; including 11 places in the South West.

Meet our places