Rochdale cultural organisations secure new Greater Manchester Culture Fund Investment

Posted by on 22 Sep 2026

Four Rochdale cultural organisations will receive a combined £142,615 a year through the Greater Manchester Culture Fund, following an announcement today by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig. The investment will bring more than £427,000 into the borough over the next three years.

Breaking Barriers Rochdale and Skylight Circus Arts have been awarded Greater Manchester Culture Fund support for the first time. They join existing Rochdale portfolio organisations Cartwheel Arts and Sound Roots, highlighting the growing strength, diversity and ambition of the borough’s cultural sector.

The annual awards are £40,000 for Breaking Barriers Rochdale, £27,540 for Skylight Circus Arts, £34,650 for Cartwheel Arts and £40,425 for Sound Roots.

The funding is part of a wider £15 million Greater Manchester investment package over three years, supporting cultural organisations that increase participation, create opportunities, strengthen communities and deliver social impact across all ten boroughs.

Rochdale Development Agency’s Culture and Placemaking team has worked with local organisations to build their capacity, develop partnerships and attract new investment.

Breaking Barriers Rochdale operates Richard Street Studios, a creative workspace hub, on behalf of RDA, and was recently commissioned to develop and deliver ‘Stories We Tell’ in Rochdale as part of the borough’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme in 2026. Skylight Circus Arts is a unique organisation that uses circus for performance, learning, personal development, physical activity, wellbeing and social connection. A regular contributor to the Feelgood Family Picnics and Ignite Fire Festival, Skylight also recently secured Arts Council England Creative Foundations funding to redevelop its circus school base with support from the RDA.

Rachel Laver, Managing Director of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “This is a fantastic outcome for Rochdale and a clear recognition of the quality, ambition and community impact of our cultural sector. We are delighted to see Breaking Barriers Rochdale and Skylight Circus Arts join the Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio alongside Cartwheel Arts and Sound Roots. The RDA has worked closely with local organisations over recent years to create opportunities, support partnerships and attract investment into the borough. This funding provides important long-term backing for organisations that are deeply rooted in our communities and are helping more people take part in creative and cultural life.”

The strengthened Rochdale presence within the Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio reflects the borough’s growing cultural confidence and the importance of continued investment in community-led creativity, local talent and inclusive cultural participation.