Research highlights cities in need of more creative investment

A study has highlighted UK cities that could benefit from further support to drive industry growth in the creative sector.

The Creative Funding report, by Nottinghamshire-based design studio Berlew, assesses the potential impact of Arts Council England (ACE) investment and available local council funding on the creative landscape of 24 English cities, excluding London.

The research used ACE investment data for 2023-2026 to calculate how much is being spent annually per 10,000 residents in each city and compiled the maximum local council funding available for small and medium-sized business-led arts initiatives.

The design studio combined these data points to calculate an index score out of 200, which was given to indicate a city’s arts funding impact, with higher scores signifying a greater positive influence on the local creative landscape.

Manchester was placed at the top of Berlew’s ranking. It ranked second for ACE investment per 10,000 people and second in local council funding available, thanks to its Cultural Partnerships Grant programme, which allows cultural or arts-based organisations to apply for an annual grant of up to £40,000.

Leeds came out on top for ACE investment per 10,000 people and placed second in the overall ranking. 

Sheffield currently offers the highest amount to arts and culture organisations through local council funding, with up to £50,000 in its Cultural Pipeline Fund, and ranked fourth in Berlew’s overall table. Newcastle upon Tyne and Bristol rounded out the top five, placed third and fifth respectively.

On the other end of the scale, Preston was placed at the bottom of the list. The Lancashire city had the second lowest amount of ACE funding per 10,000 people of the cities studied, while the county council’s culture and sports fund, which offers a maximum £1,500 contribution towards creative or sports projects, was also the second lowest figure recorded.

Berlew’s analysis indicates other cities that require support include Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Rochdale, which had the lowest amount of project funding available to local businesses at £500 through the Rochdale Borough Culture Network.

Berlew’s report adds that the relationship between arts funding and recognition is “mutually beneficial”.

“Increased funding leads to greater visibility, and more recognition can secure additional funding,” the conclusion says. “Yet, to harness this potential, it is essential to address the current challenges facing the arts in the UK”.

Lewis Wilks, the design studio’s creative director, said the findings “underline a clear need for increased and equitable creative investment in smaller cities”.

“While the Chancellor’s 2.6% budget increase for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is a step forward, additional targeted funding is essential for bridging the gap and ensuring that creative industries thrive throughout the UK,” Wilks added.

“It’s crucial to address funding inequalities if we want the creative economy to flourish across England. By boosting support in underserved cities, we can foster a dynamic, inclusive cultural landscape that fuels both local economies and innovation on a national scale.”