Arts Council England has announced that a total of £7.89 million will be invested in eight Creative People and Places projects in the Midlands over the next three years.

It's been made possible thanks to National Lottery players - to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average. 

Since 2012, Creative People and Places projects have brought together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in arts and cultural activities that their local communities want and need. 

Up until 2021, there were over 7.4 million people engaging with Creative People and Places projects, 83% of which involved people that do not regularly engage with arts and culture. The far-reaching impact of the programme continues through enabling over 17,404 volunteers and over 1000 local partners to take part - including a haulage firm, a rugby club and several housing associations - all helping to put creativity at the heart of local communities. Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries said: 

"Everyone, no matter where they are from, should be able to experience arts and culture. The fantastic Creative People and Place projects help make culture more accessible and strengthen bonds in local communities.

"I'm delighted that this £38.3 million funding will make sure more people across the whole of England have access to brilliant cultural and creative activities on their doorsteps." 

This new round of funding, means that every National Lottery ticket purchased contributes to more villages, towns, and cities up and down the country being able to thrive through a collaborative approach to culture – including projects in the Black Country like Creative Black Country. 
 
Creative Black Country work with communities in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to explore and develop new creative projects with local people in the places where they live.  This investment will build on their learning from the past seven years for a new phase of work, making the most of local talent and working with people to discover, explore and grow an exciting, meaningful and accessible programme of arts activity across the Black Country. 

The Creative Black Country partnership said: “We’re delighted with the news that Creative Black Country has been successful in becoming a Creative People and Places National Portfolio 22-25 programme.''