The future of Greater Manchester's Culture Fund
Feedback updated 20 Dec 2022
We asked
GMCA decided to consult on a proposed new approach to cultural investment from 2023 onwards. The previous GMCA culture fund period had been in place for three years. Across this period, a portfolio of 35 GM cultural organisations and 14 multi-organisation projects were supported.
Greater Manchester is rightly proud of its cultural offer. Culture and heritage are some of the biggest reasons residents like and are proud of living in Greater Manchester.
The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on Greater Manchester’s cultural landscape. The Centre for Cultural Value’s Culture in Crisis report earlier this year highlighted well the impacts on the workforce, organisations, and audiences.
You said
During the consultation period, the culture consultation gathered over 11,799 impressions on twitter with 1,358 people going to the culture webpages on the GMCA website to find out more. We had over 200 people go through the full consultation questions with 52 people submitting completed responses.
This survey was supported by both online and face to face engagement sessions. We had 58 attendees to online consultation events and 28 attendees to in person events, giving 138 responses in total. Attendees ranged from freelancers and sole traders to larger cultural organisations.
84.6% of respondents agreed the investment priorities set out in the GM Culture Strategy remain fit for purpose. 79.6% of respondents agreed with the proposed investment approach set out above, and 78.9% of respondents agreed this revised approach better reflects GM’s cultural landscape. Comments from respondents reflected many of the comments from stakeholders, particularly emphasising the importance of supporting the sustainability of the culture sector in GM, and welcomed the two new areas for investment proposed, namely Inspire and Collaborate.
We did
We issued a press release on the outcome of the consultation which can be found here - Greater Manchester Culture Fund opens for applications - Greater Manchester Combined Authority (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)
There was also a report paper finalising the future of cultural investment went to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting on 28 October 2022. The full report can be found here – https://democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/documents/s23432/13%20New%20Culture%20Fund%20approach%20281020220.pdf. The consultation section of the report reads -
Given the proposed changes to cultural investment in Greater Manchester proposed within this paper, GMCA Culture Team officers have consulted on the proposed new approach set out above, as well as testing if the current investment priorities, as set out in the GM Culture Strategy, are still fit for purpose.
The previous priorities were to:
- Contribute to the recognition of Greater Manchester locally, nationally and internationally to attract new investment, new visitors and new talent to Greater Manchester
- Make a positive contribution to improving skills and employability of residents in Greater Manchester, including support for the creative education, expression and ambition of young people across Greater Manchester
- Play a strong role in developing strong and inclusive communities and an improved quality of life for residents, particularly those residents at risk of disengagement or social isolation
- Be able to evidence how the project will make a positive contribution to improving residents’ health and well-being and meeting our equality duties.
- Provide paid employment and opportunities for freelancers, individual practitioners and organisations within the Greater Manchester
One area of concern raised during consultation was the timeline to bid into the pillars. It was suggested that the primary focus should be to look to have Spirit and Sustain application process in place from Autumn 2022 so successful organisations can deliver from April 2023. For both Inspire and Collaborate, to allow potential bidders more time to develop proposals and bring together consortia for Collaborate, it was suggested that the application process for these opens from Spring 2023. This was built into the timescale.
Overview
Culture in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is rightly proud of its cultural offer. Culture and heritage are some of the biggest reasons residents like and are proud of living in Greater Manchester.
The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on Greater Manchester’s cultural landscape. The Centre for Cultural Value’s Culture in Crisis report earlier this year highlighted well the impacts on the workforce, organisations, and audiences.
The current GMCA culture fund period has been in place for three years. Across this period, a portfolio of 35 GM cultural organisations and 14 multi-organisation projects are supported.
GMCA and the ten local authorities from across Greater Manchester recognise the importance of culture to places, communities, and individuals.
Before the pandemic cultural investment across Greater Manchester was going to be reviewed to make sure it was still fit for purpose. This review was paused during the pandemic, recognising the pressure the cultural sector was under. However, it is now appropriate for this review to take place.
GMCA are now consulting on a proposed new approach to cultural investment from 2023 onwards.
At this stage it is not possible to quantify the totality of funding available as this will be determined during the usual budget planning cycle which will begin later in 2022.
Why your views matter
This survey is to see if professionals, practitioners and the public think that our proposals for the future of cultural investment in Greater Manchester are reasonable.
This survey is supported by a number of workshops which people are welcome to attend. Full details are below.
Events
-
Online event - Future of the GM culture fund
From 17 Aug 2022 at 12:00 to 17 Aug 2022 at 13:00Register here -https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-manchester-culture-fund-consultation-online-event-tickets-400106668817
-
In-person event - Future of the GM culture fund
From 17 Aug 2022 at 15:00 to 17 Aug 2022 at 16:00Register here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-manchester-culture-fund-consultation-in-person-event-tickets-400121814117
-
In-person event - Future of GM culture fund
From 23 Aug 2022 at 10:00 to 23 Aug 2022 at 11:00Register here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-manchester-culture-fund-consultation-in-person-event-tickets-400123950507
-
Online event - Future of GM culture fund
From 23 Aug 2022 at 14:00 to 23 Aug 2022 at 15:00Register here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-manchester-culture-fund-consultation-online-event-tickets-400119095987
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Culture
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook