Commonwealth Games cultural programme to boost opportunities for West Midlands

A six month long cultural festival in the run-up to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 aims to reach 2.5 million people through a range of high-profile events and participatory projects among West Midlands communities.

The festival will run from March to September 2022 and will include 29 headline artistic commissions reflecting the region’s diverse communities. A further 28 commissioned projects will be developed following six themed ‘open calls’, which will invite ideas from local artists and organisations.

Organisers envisage the involvement of 450 artists and creatives, with 90% of commissioned work from people based in or originally from the West Midlands.

Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund have each announced £3m of ring-fenced funds for West Midlands projects as a “distinct sign of confidence in the West Midlands’ arts, culture and heritage sectors”. A further £2m of support has been pledged by Birmingham City Council, leaving £4m still to be raised.

Martin Green CBE, Chief Creative Officer, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, said: “This funding announcement marks a welcome milestone as it takes us just over halfway to our income target for the festival.  Whilst there is plenty more work to do, we are optimistic that we can now welcome more funders to the region, who share our ambitious aims.”