Jewish Culture Month has been awarded funding from Arts Council England to build on the success of this year’s national celebration of Jewish creativity.
The festival, led by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, recently concluded after delivering more than 150 events across the UK. The programme engaged a wide range of cultural organisations, secured BBC involvement, and captured public imagination with its much-loved giant pickle mascot.
The Arts Council England investment will support the next phase of development for Jewish Culture Month, enabling the festival to broaden its reach and deepen public engagement with Jewish culture and its contribution to life in the UK.
A central element of the programme will be the development of a new commissioning model focused on young people and family audiences. This work, delivered in partnership with JW3, will support the creation of an artist-led storytelling commission exploring Jewish culture, identity and contemporary Jewish life.
The funding will also support organisational development activity, including the creation of an impact evaluation framework and the development of a sustainable business plan. Together, these measures will help ensure the long-term growth and resilience of the festival.
The investment represents an important milestone for Jewish Culture Month, creating new opportunities for Jewish artists, fostering innovative cultural programming, and engaging new audiences with the richness, diversity and vibrancy of contemporary Jewish culture.
Board of Deputies Director of Culture, Education and Communities Liat Rosenthal said: “We’re thrilled to receive this support from Arts Council England. It will help us build on the momentum of Jewish Culture Month, champion Jewish artists, and bring more people into conversations about contemporary British Jewish culture.”
JW3 Programming Director William Galinsky said: “We’re delighted to be partnering on the next phase of Jewish Culture Month with the support of Arts Council England. At JW3, we’re proud to help nurture new voices and stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Jewish culture today.”