Artists offered grants for City of Culture works

Poet and author Nabeela Ahmed is one of those being supported

Artists are being invited to apply for grants of up to £15,000 to help create new work during Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.

Officials have launched the second and final round of the Artist-Led Projects Call-Out, which is aimed at discovering and backing new work.

Organisers said they are keen to fund ambitious, innovative projects which might not happen otherwise.

Artists who wish to apply have until 30 September to submit their ideas for new works that will "excite, inspire and entertain" people during Bradford 2025.

Razwan ul Haq, an Arabic calligraphy specialist who won an award from the earlier round, said it was all about "celebrating Bradford itself, and allowing people who don't know the city to see the unique and different creativity that's here".

Razwan ul Haq is an Arabic calligrapher who will combine ink-making and storytelling with his new project

Mr Haq will head up an ink-making and storytelling project, with participants first creating their own inks using natural materials, and then using them to make artworks which will ultimately form an exhibition.

"The calligraphy will be distinct and reflective of Bradford's character," he said.

"We’re creating some inks from different places in Bradford—nine different inks, each with its own story."

He said the inks, which will be displayed at South Square Gallery, would come from many things found in nature.

"It’s all about capturing Bradford’s DNA," he said.

"The inks will be made using traditional methods, shaped by what people like - and what their stories are."

Arabic calligraphy-infused artwork by Razwan ul Haq

Ten artists won grants in the first round.

They include the Ascendance charity's dance classes for people with Parkinson's, poet and author Nabeela Ahmed's public poetry project, which aims to preserve and celebrate the Pahari dialect, and The Peace Artistes' street band inspired by global cultures.

Bradford 2025 said winning ideas in the second round would have to offer "meaningful opportunities for people from the district" and would also "put them and their experience at the heart".

"We want to see projects that have thought properly about how they will reach people, understand the communities they want to work with and are committed to access and addressing the barriers that might usually prevent people getting involved," they said.

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