The West of England is one of six priority regions to benefit from the government’s £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has secured £25m of this funding for our region.

The funding is directly aligned to priorities coming out of the Creative Industries Sector Plan and National Industrial Strategy, focused on super-charging economic growth through a series of enablers:

  • Technology adoption and innovation
  • Access to finance and investment
  • Reducing skills and talent gaps and shortages
  • Growing international export and trade

Spanning the three years from April 2026, this investment will support place-based interventions designed for creative businesses and freelancers to support inclusive growth.

We’ll be running of test and refine events to gather further input on how we deliver the fund. These sessions will:

  • Gather insights into the lived experiences, needs, and priorities of those working across the creative industries.
  • Review and strengthen the proposed programme design and delivery model.
  • Explore opportunities for strategic partnerships and alignment with existing investment initiatives.
  • Promote fair access, inclusion, and representation across all parts of the region.

To be find out more about these events and to be the first to hear about updates, please sign up to our mailing list.

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Culture, Creative and Visitor Economy

From cutting-edge film studios to vibrant festivals, internationally acclaimed museums to hidden artistic gems, the West of England is bursting with culture and creative energy.

Culture West

Investment to provide more work for creative professionals across the West of England.

Cultural Compact

Amplifying the role of culture in the region, as a driver for economic success, placemaking, community cohesion and personal wellbeing.