Rochdale’s Culture Co-op has been awarded £1 million as part of Arts Council England’s largest ever Creative People and Places (CPP) Portfolio, which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026–29, to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.
Culture Co-op believes everyone should be able to decide what counts as art, where it happens, who makes it, and who gets to participate. Culture Co-op has taken inspiration from Rochdale’s co-operative roots and applied it to culture. This means that people who have too often been excluded from decision-making are now acting as ‘Cultural Pioneers’ leading the way. So far, this has included co-producing Merhaba World Music and Arts Festival, transforming pantry spaces on housing estates into creative hubs, co-designing a new LGBTQIA+ cultural programme for the Borough, and much more.
CPPs bring together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. CPPs are empowering local people to pursue the art they want, where they live.
This funding has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Every National Lottery ticket purchased generates money for good causes and enables people in villages, towns, and cities up and down the country to access cultural experiences where they live.
Greg Bond, Director, Culture Co-op said:
"The dedication and collaboration at the heart of Culture Co-op has been rewarded with another 3 years of funding. From the very beginning, individuals from all sectors—alongside local artists and residents—have played an active role in shaping and co-producing the programme. Now, we’re focused on delivering meaningful impact across the Borough, ensuring that every resident, regardless of background, has the opportunity to help shape the future of our cultural landscape.”
Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England said:
“The Creative People and Places programme empowers our communities across the North to design and shape the cultural offer on their doorstep. Since 2012 we have seen the transformative impact of these projects on the people and places. I’m so happy that we are able to continue to fund this remarkable programme and I am delighted that from 2026 we will be welcoming four new projects in the North to the programme. I can’t wait to see how this investment will continue to inspire and engage. This programme would not be possible without the support of all the people who play the National Lottery, as it is thanks to them that we are able to fund this lifechanging work.”
Culture Co-op is a partnership between Action Together, Your Trust, Rochdale Development Agency, Public Health, Rochdale Borough Housing, The Co-op Group, and Rochdale Borough Council.
To find out more visit https://www.theculturecoop.org/
