OAUK On the Road: Funding Focus - Bradford, B:D Fest

We live and work in hugely challenging times - cash is tight everywhere you look and for those working in the arts, just the thought of seeking new funding can cause major panic or a minor brain freeze. And let's not forget environmental issues, international conflicts and wonky global politics...

So, if you are feeling lost in the lands of applications and spreadsheets, these free informal sessions are designed to be a friendly space to share your frustrations, explore ideas together and reignite your funding mojo...

After a networking breakfast provided by our friends at Bradford City Council, we will have some short presentations for inspiration and example, and then gather in small groups to talk as broadly and creatively as possible, share our funding woes and, hopefully, start to find a way through the woods.

This free session is for artists, companies, arts organisations and festivals of any size or any experience; while we focus on outdoor arts, other local organisations are very welcome to join us.

Following our conference earlier in 2023, OAUK is thrilled to be making a return to Bradford, where we made so many new connections while dancing in the cathedral! B:D Festival is a new council-initiated festival, so we will consider the importance of outdoor work in the run-up to Bradford2025. Thanks to Common Wealth for the space.

We’ll be hearing from Karen Gallagher,  creative consultant with Karen Gallagher and Associates and former Artistic Director for Merseyside Dance Initiative; Jennifer Hall, Senior Research Fellow at Born In Bradford; Phil Hargreaves, Head of Creative Programmes/ B:D Festival-lead at Bradford Council and chaired by Angus MacKechnie, Director of OAUK.

Funding Focus is supported by Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy.

AND… prior to our event, is a Networking Breakfast organised by Bradford Council from 09:00-10:15 in The Space, 31 John Street, BD1 3JS which everyone is invited to attend.