Liverpool City Council has approved a 12-month extension for its Culture and Arts Investment Programme (CAIP), committing an additional £2.245 million to support the city's cultural sector. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting on September 16, ensures funding for 29 key arts organisations will continue until March 2027, providing stability amid rising operational costs.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool City Council will extend its Culture and Arts Investment Programme (CAIP) for one year.
- A one-off investment of £2.245 million is required for the extension through to March 2027.
- The programme supports 29 key cultural organisations across the city.
- Since 2023, CAIP has generated approximately £33 million in economic value and supported over 4,000 jobs.
Providing Stability for the Arts Sector
The extension of the Culture and Arts Investment Programme is a direct response to the financial challenges facing Liverpool's creative organisations. According to a report presented to the council's cabinet, many institutions are dealing with increased costs and diminished financial reserves.
The additional year of funding is designed to safeguard the sector while the council develops a more strategic and inclusive long-term funding model. This measure provides essential certainty for the 29 organisations currently supported by the programme, allowing them to plan their activities and staffing with greater confidence.
Aligning with National Funding Cycles
A key benefit of the 12-month extension is the alignment of the CAIP timeline with Arts Council England’s funding cycle. This strategic move simplifies long-term planning for cultural organisations in Liverpool, enabling them to coordinate their local and national funding applications more effectively.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Since its inception in 2023, the CAIP has demonstrated a significant return on investment for the city. The programme has been instrumental in driving economic activity and cultural engagement across Liverpool.
The council highlighted that the programme has generated an estimated £33 million in economic value for the local economy. It has also been crucial in sustaining the creative workforce, supporting over 4,000 jobs within the sector.
CAIP by the Numbers
- £33 million in economic value generated.
- 4,000+ jobs supported in the cultural sector.
- 3.4 million attendances at events in 2023/24.
- £41 million in projected turnover for funded organisations in 2025/26.
Projections for the 2025/26 financial year indicate that the 29 funded organisations are on track to generate nearly £41 million in turnover and deliver more than 12,000 events citywide. In the 2023/24 period alone, these organisations attracted over 3.4 million attendees to their events and activities.
Voices from Liverpool's Cultural Leaders
Leaders from both the council and the arts community have welcomed the decision. Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture, emphasized the programme's importance.
“Liverpool’s cultural sector is one of our greatest assets – economically, socially and creatively. It plays a vital role in shaping our city’s identity, bringing communities together, and driving innovation and opportunity. Extending CAIP for another year is a sensible and necessary step to protect jobs, sustain community engagement, and give our cultural organisations the certainty they need to plan ahead.”
Nicola Triscott, Director and Chief Executive of FACT, noted the immediate benefit of the funding stability.
“This CAIP extension provides vital stability for FACT to deliver life-enhancing digital and screen art experiences for audiences from across Liverpool, while nurturing the next generation of digital artists, creators and filmmakers. We’re grateful for Liverpool City Council’s investment, which enables us to contribute to the city’s thriving creative economy.”
Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, also expressed her gratitude, highlighting the broader community impact.
“Without the Council’s longstanding support we would not be able to fulfil our mission to transform lives through music – whether on stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, in schools, hospitals, or in communities across the city. The City Council’s support of Liverpool’s vibrant arts and creative economy enables all this life enhancing activity to happen.”
Future Planning and Strategy
The extension provides a crucial window for the development of a refreshed CAIP process. This new framework will be informed by several key factors, including the Arts Council England review, the UK Government’s upcoming Spending Review, and proposed changes related to devolution.
Furthermore, the future funding model will align with the brand new Liverpool Culture Strategy, which is scheduled to be unveiled later this year. The final approval for the £2.245 million funding is subject to the council's budget process in March 2026.
Organisations Supported by CAIP
The 29 organisations that will benefit from the extended funding represent a diverse cross-section of Liverpool's cultural landscape. They include:
- 20 STORIES HIGH
- Africa Oyé
- BlackFest Ltd
- The Bluecoat
- Collective Encounters
- The Comedy Trust
- DaDa Fest
- FACT Liverpool
- First Take
- The Florence Institute Trust (The Florrie)
- Homotopia
- Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
- Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art
- Liverpool Irish Festival
- LMTT Everyman and Playhouse
- One Latin Culture Ltd – trading as Luma Creations
- Metal Culture
- Melt
- Milap
- Open Eye Gallery
- Pagoda Arts
- Royal Court Liverpool Trust Ltd
- Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society
- Sole Rebel
- Squash Liverpool CIC
- Tate Liverpool
- Tmesis Theatre
- Unity Theatre
- Writing on the Wall