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Major city-wide collaboration to drive new era for arts and culture in Coventry
Representatives of Coventry University, Coventry City Council and Arts Council England at an event at Coventry Transport Museum where the Shape Coventry project was launched.
University news / Creative and Cultural Industries
Monday 15 June 2026
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Coventry University is leading the delivery of a major new initiative which will give thousands of people access to opportunities and career pathways in the creative sector.
Shape Coventry – a new creative skills development programme – will be rolled out across Coventry over the next three years and was launched at a Cultural Champions event at Coventry Transport Museum
The £1.14m programme, supported by nearly £650,000 of National Lottery funding from Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund, brings together more than 20 partners, including Coventry City Council, Coventry Cultural Education Partnership, Street Art Strategy, the University of Warwick, British Council and CreaTech Frontiers, all working collectively to support Coventry’s creative economy and future talent.
Thousands of people across Coventry, including children and young people, will have the opportunity to experience arts exhibitions, take part in events and develop new creative skills. The activities will take place at venues across the city, including the Delia Derbyshire Building, home to Coventry University’s College of the Arts and Society, and the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. Murals will also be created in public spaces across the city.
More than 100 schools will be involved, giving young people the chance to develop creative skills, work towards Arts Awards and gain insight into careers in the sector through engagement with artists, industry professionals and university expertise.
The programme will also support local artists and creative professionals through paid work placements, internships, networking opportunities and business support - helping to strengthen Coventry’s creative economy and retain emerging talent.
Activity linked to the prestigious British Art Show 10, arriving in the city in October, will also form part of the programme.
We are honoured to be leading Shape Coventry which builds on the university’s DNA of creative arts from its original roots as Coventry School of Design in 1843.
As well as offering opportunities for the people of Coventry – no matter their age or background – to enjoy creative opportunities, we want the programme to ensure the aspirations of emerging talent can be met by creating skills opportunities in Coventry.
Professor Ian Dunn, Provost of Coventry University
We’re pleased to be investing £647,204 into Coventry through our Place Partnership programme, which uses money from the National Lottery.
All children and young people should have access to the inspiration and joy that culture and creativity bring. This project will do just that in more than 100 schools across the city, building confidence and pride in the place that they live and new skills that will benefit them for life. It will mark a real step change, helping more people to experience, connect and take part in creativity and culture on their own doorsteps.
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England
The launch of Shape Coventry is brilliant news for our city. Not only does it bring over £600,000 of funding into Coventry but it will also give arts and culture opportunities to thousands of our residents – including many school-aged children and young people.
This programme will give young people valuable skills in the creative sectors, whilst supporting and nurturing local artists and creative professionals with paid opportunities in the city.
Councillor Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Coventry City Council
Find out more about studying creative courses at Coventry University.
