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�������� has been awarded up to £750,000 as part of Arts Council England’s largest ever , which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026–29, to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.

Re-centre will unlock the potential within people, reactivate places that matter, mobilise and amplify artistic activity and insights across the rapidly evolving city of ��������. By championing neighbourhood differentials and artistic excellence, Re-centre will empower the people of �������� to decide what they want to see and experience, producing the culture which is important to them. The partners driving the initiative are ��������, �������� City Council, Lowry, �������� Community and Leisure (SCL) and �������� CVS.

CPPs bring together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. CPPs are empowering local people to pursue the art they want, where they live. 

This funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Every National Lottery ticket purchased generates money for good causes and enables people in villages, towns, and cities up and down the country to get access to cultural experiences where they live.

Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor at the ��������, said: “As an anchor institution for �������� and a proud civic university, we are privileged to lead the Re-centre Consortium, collaborating with partners across the city to deliver this important work which will inspire, empower and foster local pride. Re-centre will support communities and amplify seldom-heard voices across our city to create, make, reshape and distribute new and existing arts and cultural experiences across ��������.”

Paul Dennett, �������� City Mayor, said: “Thank you so much on behalf of the City of �������� to everyone involved in the Re-centre bid. My thanks and sincerest appreciation must also be conveyed to Arts Council England for selecting the City of ��������’s bid within what has clearly been an exceptionally competitive Creative People and Places programme. I really look forward to working with colleagues to deliver excellent, quality and impactful outcomes for the City of �������� and our residents, families and communities.”

Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England, said: “The Creative People and Places programme empowers our communities across the North to design and shape the cultural offer on their doorstep. Since 2012 we have seen the transformative impact of these projects on the people and places. I’m so happy that we are able to continue to fund this remarkable programme and I am delighted that from 2026 we will be welcoming four new projects in the North to the programme. I can’t wait to see how this investment will continue to inspire and engage. This programme would not be possible without the support of all the people who play the National Lottery, as it is thanks to them that we are able to fund this lifechanging work.” 

More about the funding at .