Culture Secretary steps into secure Black Cultural Archives’ future

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to provide a £200,000 cash injection to support Black Cultural Archives in Brixton

• Archives record the contributions made to British society by those of African and Caribbean descent
• Investment will ensure Archives remains open while a long-term funding strategy can be developed

The UK’s largest archives dedicated to the history of black people in Britain will be given a £200,000 cash boost by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to secure its immediate future, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright announced today.

The Black Cultural Archives, which helps preserve and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Britain, was facing long-term funding challenges.

However, the funding from DCMS building on a separate grant from Lambeth Council, will ensure the Archives can remain open while a long-term solution can be found. The funding is recognition of the important role the Archives, based in Brixton, London, play in preserving and promoting the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain. It builds on previous Heritage Lottery Funding of more than £4 million since 2014, which has enabled the Black Cultural Archives to develop the UK’s first dedicated Black Heritage Centre.

DCMS will also support the Archives to deliver a step-change in their activity and extend their national reach. The Department will work with other organisations to identify and explore a range of support and funding opportunities to help the Black Cultural Archives to develop.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said:

The Black Cultural Archives does incredibly important work in preserving and promoting the history of African and Caribbean communities in the UK.

This £200,000 funding is a crucial step in securing its future. We are working closely with the Archives to put it on a long-term sustainable footing so that it can continue to educate the public and celebrate black history in Britain.

Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, London said:

Our funding of £4.1m from the National Lottery has helped establish a home of the Black Cultural Archives and their compelling collections. It’s great news that the Government is supporting them with a further £200,000 to help ensure they remain resilient, fit for the future and an essential part of our cultural life.

Founded in 1981, the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, London, documents the lives of black British people from the Roman period to the present day and are an important resource for supporting the community and promoting the teaching, learning and understanding of the contribution that African and Caribbean people have made to our society.

Most recently the Archives have supported the Government marking 70 years since HMS Windrush’s arrival at the Port of Tilbury in Britain.