CultureBiz Connect
Supporting, Showcasing and Retaining Black and Minoritised Arts and Culture Creative Talent
Following the launch of Culture West, a £3 million collaboration to reimagine and transform access to the arts and culture in the region, we are delighted to be launching the CultureBiz Connect programme!
This programme aims to understand and respond to the needs of artists and cultural producers in the West of England through a three-pronged approach of understanding the needs and barriers present in the sector, crafting development programmes for creative businesses, and distributing a small grants programme to support growth and ambition in the sector.
At the heart of this collaboration is the effort to address the unique challenges that prevent underrepresented artists and cultural producers from thriving in the sector, particularly when it comes to making sustainable futures and gaining wider recognition for creative output. As a consortium, we have a unique understanding and collaborative skill set to build different futures for Black and Minoritised artists in the sector. There are many ways to take part in the programme, find out more below!
Artist Showcase Event
We are delighted to invite you to an inspiring showcase day, celebrating the creativity and innovation of 25 Black and Racially Minoritised artists and cultural producers across the West of England!
This special showcase marks the culmination of the CultureBiz Connect Incubator and Grant Programme, a six-week initiative designed to support artists and cultural producers with the tools, networks, and resources they need to grow their practices and build sustainable creative businesses. Following over 100 applications, we are delighted to be able to support 25 artists from across the region.
Throughout the project and our grants programme, each participating artist received tailored mentoring, skills development, and a commission to create new work. Now, they're bringing it all to the stage at our Showcase Event!
WHEN: 11th October 2025 between 11.00 am and 4.00pm
WHERE: We the Curious, One Anchor Road Bristol BS1 5DB
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ Hearing from our funders and the BSWN team about the Culture West initiative, and our consultation with the sector on the needs and opportunities for Black and Racialised artists
✨ A vibrant showcase of new works by 25 artists working across different mediums including theatre, music, visual art, dance and more!
✨ Networking opportunities with other artists, cultutral producers and local institutions
✨ A chance to experience first-hand the talent shaping the future of arts and culture in the West of England
Be part of the celebration! Come and connect, be inspired, and help us build a stronger, more inclusive landscape for the region.
Meet the artists
