• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Friday July 12 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol extends economy-boosting cultural programme

Three Bristol-based organisations have been chosen by Bristol City Council to deliver free culture and events activities in the city centre, between summer 2024 and February 2025.

The programme is an extension of a scheme which brought 216,557 extra visitors to Bristol’s city centre and high streets between October 2021 and October 2023, generated £4.75 million of additional spend in Bristol’s businesses, and supported 945 paid jobs in culture and events.

Compass Presents, The Invisible Circus and Trinity Community Arts have each received £40,000 of funding to produce and manage activities in three areas of the city centre: Christmas Steps, Old Market and Stokes Croft.

One cultural organisation will act as the lead organisation in each location. Christmas Steps will be managed by The Invisible Circus, Old Market by Trinity Community Arts and Stokes Croft by Compass Presents.

Following the success of the 2021 – 2023 City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme – which saw 45 projects and 116 free events delivered over 18 months –  the council has secured an additional £170,000 of funding to extend the programme. The money is split across two grants schemes: the Large and the Small City Centre Culture and Events Grants.

John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration at Bristol City Council said: “Our ongoing investment through the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme will continue to support businesses, the local economy, and the recovery of the culture and events sector.

“We hope to build on the success of last year’s programme with another rich and diverse programme of activities the people of Bristol and visitors to the city can enjoy.”

The Small Culture and Events Grant, due to launch shortly, is also designed to support independent businesses across the three city centre locations to help diversify their night-time offering. Grants from £500 to £2000 will be available to trial new ideas to reach a new or wider audience. Successful trials will be continued and self-funded by the businesses.

Tara Sachdeva, founding director of Compass Presents, said: “My team and I are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the businesses on Stokes Croft on a piece of creative work about the street.

“It’s somewhere we have lived and is still our favourite place to socialise. Those very distinct characteristics of Bristol – independent, creative and rebellious – can be traced directly to Stokes Croft and its unique history and vibe. We are buzzing about getting the chance to work with local people to tell the story of this street!”

Doug Francisco, creative director and founding member of The Invisible Circus, said: “The Invisible Circus are delighted to be working with the residents and businesses of Christmas Steps on a series of events planned for the next six months.

“In many ways this area is one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets; we hope to change all of that by bringing the area to life with circus, theatre, music and storytelling.

“If ever there was a hidden part of Bristol with mysteries to reveal – it’s the Christmas Steps! Join us on a voyage of discovery, as we set off to uncover the dark tales of yesterday and write a new story for tomorrow.”

Jen Farmer, arts engagement manager at Trinity Community Arts, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant and to be recognised as the anchor organisation to bring together the diverse communities that make Old Market such a vibrant neighbourhood to visit, live and work in.

“Trinity sees this as a huge endorsement from Bristol City Council, cementing focused work over the last few years to proactively connect and engage with our hyper-local communities in arts and cultural activities, alongside our live events programme that boosts the local economy.

“With this grant we can build on our reputation producing high quality arts activities by co-designing an exciting and meaningful programme in partnership with our trusted local partners bringing together artists, residents and small businesses to maximise our collective potential.”

Following the initial expression of interest, the top scoring applicants were invited to develop more detailed proposals, giving the organisations the opportunity to connect with and consult key local stakeholders and scope out potential collaborations with artists, creatives and organisations, before completing their full application.

Projects can take the form of workshops, performances, visual art, film, interventions, and installations, and be a one off or take place over a specific duration. All events are free and fully accessible so everyone can visit, explore and enjoy what Bristol has to offer.

The City Centre Culture and Events Grant is being delivered as one of the activities under the City Centre and High Streets Programme, which is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority.