A WINTER arts exhibition is being planned for Bradford district.

Starting in December and running through to March 2021, LIT will see light installations shine from varied locations across the district such as front gardens, shopping centres and mill rooftops.

The exhibition will include around half a dozen large-scale light artworks and installations from creatives and around 26 smaller-scale exhibits.

Bradford Council, working with partners including Bradford Bid, Ilkley BID, Keighley Bid, Bradford 2025, Bradford Producing Hub, The LEAP Bradford and Shipley and Bingley Town Councils, will fund and support the creation of the displays.

Grants of between £10,000 and £15,000 are available for artists and creatives to produce large works.

Creatives and community groups are invited to apply for grants of up to £1,500 for the smaller creations in their locality.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Art and culture has an important role to play in the health and wellbeing of us all across Bradford district.

“We are in complex times with many restrictions in place due to the pandemic but this does not mean we can’t have moments of surprise, joy and pride in Bradford.

“Knowing how much residents appreciate public art, we’re looking forward to seeing the eye-catching proposals that come forward from our arts community to brighten up the district this winter.

“We all enjoy the annual Diwali and Christmas lights, which we will put up again this year, but this initiative is in addition to our celebration of religious festivals.”

Director of The LEAP, Bradford, Zulfiqar Ahmed, said: “Community-led culture is vital to our cities economic and social progress.

“I am excited to see the imaginative ideas that will come forward from local people to light up the places they live and work in.”

A spokesperson from Bradford Producing Hub, a four-year project that aims to make sure Bradford is a creative city, said: “We’re delighted to support the programme of commissions being offered through LIT by bringing our expertise and support in delivering incredible outdoor arts for Bradford’s audiences.”

Details of submission requirements and how to apply for the grants can be found on Bradford Council’s website (https://www.bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/funding/lit-light-programme-grants/).

The deadline for applications is October 30, 2020.