Grassroots Music Venue and Promoter Support

Up to £1500 for five grassroots venues or venue/promoter collaborations in Bradford.

Applications open: 9am Wednesday 22 July 2026

Applications close: 11pm Tuesday 11 August 2026

Bradford Culture Company and Bradford District Music Strategy are inviting applications for Grassroots Music Venue and Promoter Support, in collaboration with Bradford Music Month 2026.

The initiative will provide up to £1,500 to support five grassroots music venues or venue/promoter collaborations to deliver live music events during Bradford Music Month (1–30 November 2026).

The support is designed to help venues strengthen existing events or create new opportunities that celebrate Bradford’s vibrant music scene, support local artists, grow audiences and ensure artists and crew are paid fairly.

What can the support be used for?

The financial support can be used to strengthen your event in a range of ways, including:

• Booking additional artists
• Scaling up an existing event
• Securing a larger headline act
• Improving production values
• Increasing accessibility
• Expanding marketing and audience development activity

We are looking for events that will make a positive contribution to Bradford Music Month while helping to build a stronger, more sustainable live music ecology across the district.

Who can apply?

Applications Are Welcome From

• Bradford district-based grassroots music venues
• Venue and promoter collaborations
• Venues that have a track record of delivering live music events and can deliver an event during Bradford Music Month

For this initiative, a grassroots music venue is typically a locally recognised, music-first venue with a capacity of under 500 that supports emerging artists and plays an important role in Bradford’s live music scene.

What are we looking for?

We Want To Support Live Music Events That

• Feature local artists
• Reflect the diversity of Bradford’s music scene
• Reach new or diverse audiences
• Keep ticket prices affordable
• Provide inclusive and welcoming experiences
• Demonstrate a commitment to fair pay and good working conditions

Applications will also need to show how the financial support will make a meaningful difference to the proposed event.

Assessment

Applications Will Be Assessed Against Six Published Criteria

• Strength of the proposed live music activity
• Value added by the financial support
• Commitment to fair pay and good working conditions
• Contribution to diversity, access and audience development
• Quality of promotion and marketing plans
• A clear and realistic budget

Key dates

9am Wednesday 22 July 2026 – Applications open

11pm Tuesday 11 August 2026 – Applications close

End of August 2026 – Successful applicants notified

1-30 November 2026 – Events delivered as part of Bradford Music Month

How to apply

Please complete an application form to apply.

Before applying, please read the guidance notes.

Applications Should Include Details About

• Your venue or organisation
• The event you are proposing
• The artists involved
• How the financial support will be used
• Your marketing and audience development plans
• A realistic event budget
• Your commitment to fair pay and good working conditions

Apply now (opens in new tab)

Get in touch

If you have any questions regarding your application or this initiative, please contact Sign in to view email.

Bradford District Music Strategy is supported with funding from Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music fund, with the aim to help shape future funding priorities, improve support for grassroots venues, and strengthen routes for local musicians and industry professionals to build sustainable careers in Bradford.