Summer Unlocked will be a programme of events and activities across Bradford District during Summer 2021. We want Bradford District to come back to life in our outdoor spaces that have been important to so many of us during lockdown. We want to animate the spaces where we have found solace - our public parks, our streets and neighbourhoods, our moors and our gardens and even our shopping arcades and public spaces.

Bradford Council, Bradford 2025 and The Leap are working together on a captivating, local, safe and playful programme of arts and culture activity aimed at creating moments of surprise, celebration and reflection.

As we head towards Summer 2021, with the prospect of widespread vaccination in sight for many and a new roadmap out of lockdown, we are inviting communities to come forward and apply for programmes of activity that could be take place during July, August and September 2021.  We are seeking to fund inspiring, joyful, creative projects at a wide variety of scale and impact across the district that will encourage the residents and visitors to Bradford district to enjoy arts and cultural activities outdoors this summer. 

We want to fund events & activity that will demonstrate the imagination and creativity of the district for residents and visitors alike and act as stepping stones to what’s possible if our bid for UK City of Culture 2025 is successful.  We’re planning to put on an ambitious, district-wide programme of events, activities, installations and happenings, promoted and produced in collaboration with colleagues at Bradford Producing Hub, Bradford 2025, The Leap as well as council colleagues in Culture and Tourism, in the Libraries, Museums and Galleries service as well as across heritage, education and sport and from Business Improvement Districts across the district, amongst others.

Ideas could range from creating temporary performance spaces (of any duration) in unexpected locations to outdoor screenings, outdoor performances in existing outside spaces, visual arts or temporary exhibitions, hyperlocal neighbourhood tours, live music, or spontaneous ‘guerrilla’ events unexpectedly appearing in local neighbourhoods.

We’re interested in playful responses to the Call Out which can take place outside and that draw on the district’s natural assets. We would like to encourage applications for work that is durational, surprising and visually impactful without drawing significant crowds, and is flexible in terms of where and when it is delivered. Small scale events for hyper local audiences will be considered, where they are assessed to be appropriate. Covid-compliancy information will be requested as part of the application process.

We welcome local, national and international proposals.

All applicants should be able to demonstrate that their projects:

• Can be delivered between July - September
• Are sufficiently adaptable and agile to be able to respond to the prevailing social distancing rules 

We welcome applications that show a creative response to the Bradford district or a creative connection to the specific place where the project is proposed to take place.

Special consideration will be given to particular target groups including the elderly, youth, ethnic minorities, unemployed and to particular communities  (eg; inner city areas, rural, council estates).

We anticipate awarding grants at the following range of levels:

• Small grants up to a maximum of £5,000 per project
• Larger-scale project grants between £5,001 - £30,000 per project, with potential for larger awards in specific circumstances.  It would be desirable if  grants awarded at this level were able to demonstrate potential for additional funding from other sources, which could be cash and in kind.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

Artistic idea - quality/creativity - 30%

Experience and capability - 10%

Engagement/audience experience - 20%

Value for money - 20%

Alignment with the themes and vision for the programme - 20%

All successful applicants will need to provide an outline project plan for delivery and proof of public liability insurance. For more information: Artist Network https://www.a-n.co.uk/about/insurance/

Or CuratorSpace: https://www.curatorspace.com/about/news/m-ppl-insurance-now-available-with-curatorspace/38

Successful applicants will also be required to provide a risk assessment for their activity/project as part of the funding agreement.

The council may wish to use examples of your work in press releases and features and share information with partners including Bradford 2025 and The Leap.

Specific dates for the activity will be agreed with the Summer Unlocked delivery team, within the context of the overall summer programme and covid restrictions.  If your project is designed to happen on or around a particular date please make this clear in your application.

If your application is successful, the council's Events Team and a freelance Production Team will provide advice and support on planning your activity, any infrastructure required, permissions, security and  COVID-compliance. We will also have a dedicated Safety Officer who can advise and support. 

Grant activity will be delivered under the Summer Unlocked umbrella and will be be supported by a comprehensive marketing and PR campaign.

Please note this is a grants programme and VAT does not apply.

The following will not be supported:

• Promotion of non cultural/leisure activities

• Fund-raising events

• Services funded normally from other sources (e.g. commercial interests, voluntary contributions or public sector provision)

• Requests from single schools

• Existing activities unless it is to support a new aspect of the project

• In school hours activities

• Activities aimed primarily at promoting Party politics or religious faith

• Multiple applications for the same funding

• Activities for personal  use