The scheme has been made possible by a Cultural Capital Grant awarded by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, partly funded by Bradford Council.
The Council identified £3 million of funding for the City of Culture Capital Grants, as part of the £10 million allocation to The Bradford Culture Company Ltd for the delivery of City of Culture 2025.
Dan Bates, Executive Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Claudia McFarlane, Director of ACAP, and Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, outside the ACAP building (Image: Newsquest)
ACAP, which received £280,000, was one of 21 projects across the district to be successful in the awards, which support a wide range of regenerative projects across the district.
The renovation and transformation of ACAP’s building on Claremont, Great Horton, which has been its base for more than 30 years, will create an arts and culture centre serving as an accessible hub for cultural exchange and creative expression.
It will provide space for music, dance, visual and digital arts, drama and storytelling.
Claudia McFarlane, Director of ACAP, inside the ACAP building (Image: Newsquest)
The refurbishment will create:
- Function/exhibition hall
- Performing arts studio
- Rehearsal/workshop room
- Educational room/learning centre
- Updated toilets/bathroom
- Updated kitchen and utility
- Improvements to sound and lighting
Claudia McFarlane, director of ACAP, said: “We are immensely grateful to Bradford 2025 and Bradford Council for their support through the Cultural Capital Fund.
“This funding enables us to transform our community centre into a vibrant hub for arts and culture, preserving our building’s rich heritage while creating a welcoming space for diverse artistic expressions.
The ACAP building is undergoing a much-needed refurbishment (Image: Newsquest)
“As we are in Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture 2025, we are excited to contribute to the district’s cultural renaissance and provide our community with opportunities to engage in meaningful cultural activities.”
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, added: “It’s clear that this funding is going to have huge benefits for the African Caribbean Achievement Project for current users and attracting new visitors and audiences.
The ACAP building is undergoing a much-needed refurbishment (Image: Newsquest)
“We look forward to the scheme being completed and flourishing.”
Dan Bates, executive director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “It’s thrilling to see the growth of Bradford’s creative infrastructure as we progress through this momentous year for the city and district.
“The work that ACAP do with communities of African and Caribbean descent across Bradford will be able to expand even further with this renovation, and we’re proud to be a part of this next chapter in their journey.”