OUTSIDE has been awarded £975,000 as part of Arts Council England’s largest ever Creative People and Places (CPP) Portfolio, which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026-29, to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.

A participatory arts programme, OUTSIDE is led by local residents in the Staffordshire Moorlands working with professional artists. Together, they co-curate ambitious, inspiring and inclusive arts and cultural activities and events celebrating life in the rural landscapes, villages and market towns of the Moorlands.

CPPs bring together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. CPPs are empowering local people to pursue the art they want, where they live. 

This funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Every National Lottery ticket purchased generates money for good causes and enables people in villages, towns, and cities up and down the country to get access to cultural experiences where they live.

Susan Clarke, Chair of the OUTSIDE Board, said: “All of the team at OUTSIDE are delighted to share this great news for the Staffordshire Moorlands. This award from Arts Council England is so welcome, at a time when communities across our rural district need more than ever, to feel connected, creative, and to have a chance to celebrate the stories of the place in which we are proud to live.

“It’s a testament to the impact that all of OUTSIDE; the board, the team, the artists, producers, brilliant volunteers, and community partners are having, and we thank Arts Council England for their recognition of them.”

Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “Creative People and Places projects bring organisations and communities together to shape the creative and cultural activities available in their local area. Funded by the National Lottery, we are investing more than £9.2 million in the Midlands, to ensure more people can experience, connect and take part in creativity on their doorsteps. 

“OUTSIDE work with local people to bring creativity to the heart of their rural communities. Focusing on the environment, connectivity, wellbeing, place and heritage, residents are encouraged to come together to create and experience extraordinary moments that inspire joy and positive change.”   

Photo credit: Andrew Billington