The city has some of the highest level of current arts engagement outside London and hosts around 40 festivals each year and more than 200 outdoor events.
Outdoor event space is at a premium in the city and demand from a range of cultural and commercial operators far exceeds the supply available especially in the city centre.
The city is recognised as a national cultural centre and is successful at levering investment from a range of public bodies, foundations and from private businesses and donors. However the city receives a relatively high level of funding from Arts Council England and so any cuts or policy change there will have a profound effect.
The city council’s Arts Partnership scheme levers between £15 and £20 for every £1 the city council spends and supports a wide range of cultural activities from the not for profit arts sector.
There is a lack of good quality and affordable creation space for artists across a range of art-forms and practices.