Rooted in Nuneaton and Bedworth awarded £750,000 as Arts Council England creative people and places (2026-29) portfolio announced.
Rooted in Nuneaton and Bedworth has been awarded £750,000 as part of Arts Council England’s largest ever Creative People and Places (CPP) Portfolio, which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026 to 2029, to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.
This ambitious new project that will raise aspirations and increase engagement in arts and culture in the Borough. It will also build upon the great work previously delivered working with cultural groups and partners in the Creative Explorer project.
A new consortium will be led by Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (CAVA), alongside representatives from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council’s Library Service, Nuneaton Arts CIO and Nuneaton Muslim Women’s Group.
The programme will facilitate high quality community engagement, that listens to people about what, how, where they want arts and culture, and provide large- and small-scale activities and opportunities.
Through Rooted, Nuneaton and Bedworth will go on a creative journey to reimagine the future, considering the relationships with heritage and landscape, and how we can celebrate our unique cultural identity whilst maximising the opportunities in a digital and post-industrial era.
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.
Cllr Brady Hughes, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Health said:
“I'm very much looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful cultural activities that the scheme will help facilitate.
“In addition to providing a great number of opportunities for communities to engage in arts and culture, this inspirational programme will also really help people connect in making it their own and empower local voices.
“This successful partnership helps build on the cultural work already delivered locally working with several community groups and partners and provides the opportunity to further embed cultural delivery in Nuneaton and Bedworth.”
Karen Winchcombe, Chief Executive of CAVA said:
“We're thrilled to hear that the application to Arts Council England for the CPP programme has been successful in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
"The Rooted project is the culmination of lots of hard work from partners in various voluntary organisations, statutory partners, local artists and creatives; we want to thank everyone for their contributions.
“CAVA is proud to be the lead body for the consortium, drawing much needed investment into communities in the Borough at such an exciting time for the local area.”
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said:
“Creative People and Places projects bring organisations and communities together to shape the creative and cultural activities available in their local area.
"Funded by the National Lottery, we are investing more than £9.2 million in the Midlands, to ensure more people can experience, connect and take part in creativity on their doorsteps.
“We’re excited to welcome Rooted to the portfolio. They will work with local people to create high quality creative and cultural events and activities that empower communities, amplify voices, and help to shape a future narrative for Nuneaton and Bedworth, informed by the people and communities that live there.”