Cultivate Heritage

Creative Programming Approaches to Heritage

In this strand of our 'Birmingham Festival 2022 Legacy programme', helped organisations design and pitch creative projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of communities across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Through Cultivate Heritage, we raised awareness about The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s new funding programme ‘National Lottery Heritage Grants’ which was launched in January 2024.

Funding was not guaranteed, but this served as an excellent opportunity for participants to learn more about the funding opportunity and co-create innovative and intersectional programmes with other local groups. Participants also had the opportunity to book 1-to-1 advice session with a member of the Heritage Fund’s Engagement Team, to discuss their proposed project idea.

Programme Activity

By leveraging the power of arts, culture, technology and innovative programming, Cultivate Heritage sought to preserve and celebrate diverse local histories and leave a lasting legacy. We delivered a series of events and support opportunities throughout the programme.

Meet the Funder Webinar - National Lottery Heritage Fund Information and Q&A

This was an introduction to the new NLHF grants programme with a summary of the application process followed by a Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to get further clarity and address common issues that often arise with arts organisations.

Information Webinar - Inclusion, Access & Participation

Aligned with The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033, we were particularly interested in supporting projects which aligned with the key priority areas identified within their new investment principles: saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, organisational sustainability*. We delivered an informational webinar highlighting 'Inclusion, Access and Participation’. The webinar explored creative approaches to heritage and features presenters and case studies demonstrating good practice approaches to ‘Inclusion’ creative partnerships and collaborations.

*Applications to the National Lottery Heritage Grants programme must take all four investment principles into account, but the strength of focus and emphasis on each principle is for the applicant to decide and demonstrate.

Heritage x Arts Connector Event

With the aim of facilitating innovative, multi-disciplinary approaches to interpreting and celebrating local heritage - we held an exciting networking event inviting arts/cultural organisations to connect with heritage groups across the West Midlands and spark new cross-sector collaborations eligible for National Lottery Heritage Grants.

Legacy Project Development Support 

Our Partnership and Development Manager, Charlene Carter-James led 1-1 support sessions with participants. Areas of support included:

  • Customised consulting to help refine early project concepts and ideas

  • Project development and planning 

  • First read of NHLF Grant applications – with an emphasis on advice/feedback around the strength of investment principles in your application and project outcomes. 

  • Brokering a new partnership(s) or introductions within our networks. 

National Lottery Heritage Grant 1-1 Funder Advice Session

The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Engagement Team offer personalised support sessions for organisations interested in applying for grant funding, to discuss their proposed project idea.  Participants were encouraged to book limited spaces.

Header image: Andy Moore/Tappin’ In.