Support for West Midlands’ cultural social enterprises

A new scheme for cultural and creative social enterprises in the West Midlands will support small organisations to increase diversity and develop their business models.

The Cultural & Creative Social Enterprise project is backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and open to enterprises with a turnover of less than £250,000 and no more than 15 full-time staff.

Two enterprises will receive a grant of £30,000, with the successful applicants expected to provide support for five other “micro-sized enterprises”.

The programme is supported by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, Black Country Consortium LEP and Arts Council England.

Councillor Patrick Harley, WMCA portfolio lead for culture and digital, and leader of Dudley Council, said: “The West Midlands has benefited from its vibrant creative and cultural sectors not just economically but through their important contributions to the wellbeing of our region.

“This programme will help nurture these sectors, which have suffered recently, by supporting smaller organisations to develop sustainable business models which can help them to survive and thrive.”