The Cultural Development Fund [CDF] underspend programme was delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority to strengthen the cultural ecosystem in the Black Country.
A key achievement from CDF was the development of Cultural Infrastructure Plans, which now act as strategic masterplans for cultural investment across the Black Country. These plans provide a prioritised pipeline of projects and ensure cultural infrastructure is embedded within wider regeneration strategies.
The programme focused on building a pipeline of investment-ready cultural projects and embedding culture and heritage within wider regeneration strategies such as the Spatial Development Strategy and Pride in Place.
Strategic Objectives
The programme aimed to:
- Develop robust feasibility studies and Cultural Infrastructure Plans to unlock future capital investment.
- Increase collaboration between local authorities, cultural organisations and community groups.
- Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity across the sector, ensuring culture and heritage are better integrated into place-based planning.
Impact:
Through commissioned studies, learning visits, and innovative engagement models such as Urban Rooms, the programme created a clear evidence base for future cultural investment. It strengthened partnerships across the region, improved strategic alignment, and introduced new ways of working that foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The Black Country Cultural Development Fund will lead to better increased and better-informed investment in the Black Country, ensuring that the region's key assets are included in strategic intervention plans and have the resources ready to unlock future investment opportunities.
CDF was funded by Arts Council England with support from our partner Local Authorities.