Manchester is the best-funded city for creatives in England according to a new survey.
Design studio Berlew’s Creative Funding Report, analysed investment and funding into the creative industry across the UK finding Manchester as the top recieving city outside of London.
After labours pledge to improve spend on the creative sector, Manchester has been funded £523,000 per 10,000 residents by the Arts Council on top of £40,000 spent by the council.
Berlew creative director Lewis Wilks said: “Cities like Manchester are leading the way in supporting creative growth, with per capita funding that’s clearly helping local artists, businesses and cultural hubs.”
On top of this, Manchester’s Cultural Partnerships Grant programme established in 2011, supports local businesses with grants of up to £40,000 annually – one of the highest amounts of all cities analysed.
Other northern cities are also top of the list with Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne taking second and third spot.
But on the other end of the spectrum Greater Manchester borough, Rochdale scored in the bottom five cities with bussinesses only able to apply for up to £500 under their Rochdale Borough Culture Network – just a fraction of the amount available to businesses in other cities.
Wilks said: “The significant funding disparities across cities also highlight where vital grassroots support is still lacking – especially in smaller communities.
“With increased investment, we could see real, transformative growth in the creative sector nationwide, reaching underserved areas and strengthening local economies.”
Feature image: Giuseppe Moscato via Flickr
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