By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Artists are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £15,000 to support the creation of new work during Bradford's tenure as the UK City of Culture. The second and final round of the Artist Led Projects Call Out has been launched, aiming to uncover and fund fresh, innovative work. Organizers are particularly interested in ambitious projects that might not otherwise come to fruition.
Applications are open until September 30, and artists are invited to propose works that will "excite, inspire, and entertain" audiences as part of Bradford 2025. Razwan ul Haq, an Arabic calligrapher who secured funding in the previous round, said the initiative celebrates Bradford’s unique creativity and showcases it to wider audiences.
Haq's upcoming project will focus on ink making and storytelling, with participants creating inks from natural materials found around Bradford. These inks will be used to produce artwork for an exhibition at South Square Gallery, reflecting the city's character. Haq emphasized that each ink, sourced from various locations in Bradford, will carry its own story, capturing the essence of the city.
In the first round of grants, ten artists were awarded funding, including a dance program by the Ascendance charity for people with Parkinson's, a public poetry project by Nabeela Ahmed to preserve the Pahari dialect, and a global street band performance by The Peace Artistes.
Bradford 2025 organizers stated that successful projects from the second round would need to provide "meaningful opportunities" for the local community, putting people's experiences at the forefront. They emphasized the importance of understanding and engaging with communities, removing barriers to participation, and ensuring accessibility for all.
