A person wearing an elaborate, colorful costume made of textured fabric. The outfit includes a large yellow skirt with black decorative patterns, a bright orange draped piece, and a green head covering. Thick, purple yarn-like adornments cascade from the headpiece. The scene takes place outdoors in an urban setting with stone buildings and traffic lights visible in the background. A crowd of onlookers surrounds the performer, some standing close to a stone wall, while others are gathered along the street. The lighting suggests a sunny day, highlighting the vivid colors of the costume.

Public investment in culture is more than funding – it’s a statement of belief that art, artists, and creativity enrich our lives and our society.

Culture Makes Liverpool.

It’s days out at the docks, blockbuster events, museum trips, and theatre shows. It’s small-scale projects in pubs and parks, murals on gable ends, and choirs in care homes. Culture changes lives, shapes who we are, and showcases Liverpool to the world.

At a time of tight public budgets, culture is not a luxury. It builds skills for an expanding creative economy, strengthens communities, and supports health and wellbeing. Few investments deliver such powerful social returns.

Culture is also a major economic driver. Eurovision brought a net £54.8m boost to the city; our annual funded programme generates over £30m in turnover and GVA; the Beatles legacy adds £81.9m and supports 2,335 jobs. Culture creates jobs, fuels growth, and makes Liverpool one of the UK’s most exciting cities to visit.

It has been central to Liverpool’s regeneration – powering our visitor economy, attracting students, enhancing our global reputation, and growing our creative industries.

This Cultural Strategy is built on a simple belief: participation and global ambition matter equally.

We will deliver this by:

  • Empowering arts organisations with the independence and tools to thrive
  • Championing high quality across all programmes
  • Investing for the long term so culture can grow with confidence
  • Encouraging collaboration across sectors
  • Staying locally rooted while projecting Liverpool’s voice globally

This refreshed strategy is not a new direction – it’s our commitment to evolve with the times. Culture has transformed Liverpool over the past decade, and it will shape the next one too.

What will accelerate this change is further local investment that matches our ambition. Culture Liverpool will continue to champion the city as a national cultural leader, support exceptional creative work, and reach every community.

Together, we’ve already achieved extraordinary things – and we’re only just beginning.

Read the 2025-2030 Cultural Strategy here.

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