SEVERAL Keighley-district venues and projects are sharing in a culture cash windfall.
The Bronte Parsonage Museum at Haworth, East Street Arts-Keighley Creative and Silsden Town Hall are among 21 recipients of grants across the Bradford district from the £3 million Cultural Capital Fund.
In most cases, details of individual amounts haven't yet been released.
The funding is for projects that will enable more residents and visitors to participate in cultural activities during 2025, when Bradford is UK City of Culture, and beyond.
Beneficiaries also include Bronte Birthplace Ltd, at Thornton, which aims to bring the terrace house where Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne were born into community ownership and promote it on the literary trail.
Plans for the building include the creation of space for workshops, events and visits by schools and literary groups. Plus the scheme will see the property's bedrooms restored to how they'd have looked during the family’s time there, and converted into holiday lets.
Dan Bates, executive director of Bradford 2025, says: "The Cultural Capital Fund is a great example of our ambition to increase investment in the cultural infrastructure within Bradford district, giving residents and visitors alike increased opportunity to experience the arts, culture and creativity during 2025 and beyond.
"There was an overwhelming response to the grant fund, with applications far exceeding the funding available, highlighting how determined venues are to improve facilities ahead of Bradford 2025.
"I’m looking forward to seeing projects begin in the coming months, demonstrating a key milestone in our preparations for Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.
"The projects – focusing on the regeneration of existing community and cultural spaces, as well as the introduction of new and sustainable extensions to organisations – will provide a range of physical environments for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage and interact with cultural activities.
"It is made possible thanks to funding from Bradford Council."
The Bronte Parsonage Museum, which plans to build new toilets at its site, said it was thrilled to receive the funding.
"The grant will enable us to build fully-accessible facilities onsite," it added.
"We are delighted to be able to put these much-needed facilities in place for visitors ahead of Bradford 2025.
"The project will get underway in spring, 2024, for completion the following spring.
"We'll announce further details upon finalisation of the contract, including guidance as to how works may affect access to the museum."
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