This consultation is now closed
We give out grants to support cultural organisations in Manchester with core running costs. This is called the Cultural Partnership grants programme. The current round of funding runs from 2018 to 2023.
The Cultural Partnership grant funding is for:
- constituted community and voluntary or not for profit organisations
- cultural or arts-based organisations
- organisations based in the city or with a track record of activity delivered in the city for the benefit of Manchester residents, visitors or the local economy
- organisations not already in receipt of a Council strategic investment
We have been working with a small co-design group (Manchester City Council and cultural organisations) to put together a proposal for the next round of funding. This new grants programme will run from April 2023 – March 2026.
We want your views on our proposals for:
- the overall aim
- the principles
- the priorities
We want your views on our proposals for:
The overall aim
To fund and support cultural organisations that contribute to making Manchester a thriving, equitable, vibrant and liveable city with high quality cultural and creative experiences that all Manchester people can benefit from.
The principles
These principles are shared by Manchester City Council and the funded organisations.
Relevance
The grants will support organisations who can:
- demonstrate awareness of the current context for Manchester residents,
- contribute to the delivery of the Our Manchester Strategy
- respond to the changes and challenges the world faces
Collective action
Co-production, partnership working and learning from each other will lead to the greatest impact.
Flexibility
These grants will continue to be offered as multi-year, core funding. This reflects the IVAR principles for open and trusted grant-making and our shared belief that flexibility (of both funder and grant recipient) will be central to supporting organisations to be sustainable and responsive.
The priorities
Cultural Partnership funding is for organisations that are committed to delivering high quality work in a way that is inclusive and equitable, representative of the city’s residents and contributes to Manchester’s zero carbon ambition.
The priorities are as follows:
- High quality work: We create brave, bold, and aspirational culture with life-enhancing impacts. Quality is defined by the people we work with. It is measured by the impact we have and the progress we make.
- Inclusion and equity: We recognise the systemic inequities that impact on Manchester residents’ health, wellbeing, and quality of life. We are committed to widening access, participation and progression in culture and creativity.
- Representation: We are on a well-planned journey to becoming representative of the diversity of the city of Manchester. We can demonstrate how this is reflected in decision-making and leadership roles in our organisation.
- Zero carbon: We will progress towards becoming zero carbon by 2038 or earlier and develop climate change action plans in line with this.
Share your views with us by Friday 1 July.