Bristol creatives to protest ‘reckless’ council funding delay

Bristol’s arts sector is due to protest over what they have described as a “reckless” decision by Bristol City Council to delay grant funding by 18 months.

Equity, the UK’s performing arts and entertainment trade union, said the delay “has put the work and contracts of many Equity members at risk”, and could force organisations and businesses to close.

A petition launched by the union is calling on the mayor to restore the funding and make decision-making panels more transparent.

The protest comes after Bristol City Council announced that arts organisations and major cultural events in Bristol would have to wait until March 2024 to find out how much money they would receive.

Bristol City Council said it has delayed the decision so it can allow for a redesign of the process so it is more transparent.

But Equity members said the decision to delay funding would have “damaging consequences” for one of the most important industries in Bristol’s economy, adding that the delay only leaves a month before the grant period starts, meaning organisations won’t be able to plan for the future.

They also called out the mayor’s hypocrisy in his 2023 One City Plan, where he said: “Bristol’s culture is internationally recognised for its creativity, vibrancy, diversity, history and innovation across many mediums such as art, theatre, dance, music, TV and film and architecture.”

“Without our members, the city has no cultural economy,” campaigners said.

“Bristol’s reputation and success as a film and TV hub exists in the same ecosystem as the rest of the creative sector in the city and cannot be separated from its live performance industry which is now at risk from this delay in funding decisions.”

Members also accused the mayor of “sidelining” Bristol’s culture board, which he created. The board is the only consultative culture body that exists in the city, and is made up of key figures in Bristol’s creative sector.

“These less than transparent delays and possible cuts will disproportionately impact working class creative workers, and those from minority and oppressed groups,” said Equity members.

“It will have social and cultural implications for all the large arts organisations in the city and smaller one off artistic projects that work in local communities, from parent and baby groups and schools, to festivals and live events. Leaving access to the arts only to those who can afford it.

A spokesperson for the mayor said: “We agree that culture funding recommendations should be made by a transparent, independent body and have instructed officers to redesign the Cultural Investment Programme process to achieve this aim.

“This year’s funds have been held whilst this work is completed and will be awarded after recommendations are received from an independent panel. We have continued to fund culture organisations and rolled over last year’s funding to ensure there were no gaps.

“Although the council does not have a legal duty to fund the culture and arts in the city, we recognise the value of the local sector and work closely with partners such as the Arts Council to ensure funding is made available and organisations are supported to deliver the city’s world renowned cultural offer.”

A protest is due to take place outside City Hall on College Green on July 6 at 10:30am.

Main photo: Mia Vines Booth

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