City's arts funding preserved for next three years

A city council has announced it will preserve its funding for arts and cultural projects for the next three years, following criticism over initial plans to cut it.

Bristol City Council had previously said it planned to reduce and eventually cut its entire Cultural Investment Programme to close a financial gap and save £635,000 a year.

Earlier this month, the authority revealed it had bid for UK City of Culture 2029. If successful, it could secure £10m to boost its arts scene.

Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union that raised concerns over cuts, welcomed the council's decision but said it would "continue to fight" for the city's industry beyond the next three years.

Council leader, Tony Dyer, confirmed the preservation of the Cultural Investment Programme in a blog post that provided an overview of the authority's 2026/27 budget.

He said the decision had been made as a result of feedback about "what matters to people most".

Equity president, Lynda Rooke, said the union was "relieved" the council had reversed its decision, but added that the previously planned "devastating" cuts had underlined the precarity faced by creatives who often relied on insecure sources of funding to sustain their work and livelihoods.

"For now, artists can continue to work and earn a living in the city, contributing to the local economy and enriching the community," she said.

"We will continue to come together to stand up for arts funding in Bristol."

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