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For those of you who have been writing ACE applications since the Let's Create 2020-2030 strategy came into play, you'll know that there were 2 locational lists that were important: Priority Places list and Levelling Up for Culture Places list. The Levelling Up for Culture Places list, contained 109 locations which were identified by DCMS based on the "Levelling Up the United Kingdom" white paper under Boris Johnson's Conservative government in 2022. These were in addition to the Priority Places list which ACE themselves had identified as areas of need and opportunity, which contained 54 locations which were also mostly on the Levelling Up for Culture Places list. ACE explained across their guidance and in the 2021-2024 Delivery Plan that they would "prioritise applications” from locations on both of these lists. Throughout this period any mention of the Priority Places would result in a link to a webpage which listed the Priority Places and the Levelling Up for Culture Places together. They were equally described as “Places underrepresented in our funding” across the guidance notes. The 2024-2027 Delivery Plan, details of which were announced in November 2024 explains that the Priority Places are to remain in place until 31 March 2027. Until recently (we think June ‘25, but can confirm April ‘25 for sure) when clicking on the Priority Places hyperlinks from this Delivery Plan, the webpage still housed both Priority Places and Levelling Up for Culture Places lists for download. Similarly, the Priority Places and the Levelling Up for Culture Places were specifically mentioned as locations ACE would “prioritise” in both the under £30k and over £30k guidance, until as recently as 3rd June 2025 (thanks Wayback Machine). However, with the release of the most recent NLPG guidance (June 2025), Levelling Up for Culture Places are no longer mentioned, only stating that Priority Places are considered in the decision-making process (p.73 on Guidance for applicants - £30k and under). We asked ACE if the Levelling Up for Culture Places are no longer a priority, and were told that these two lists had been merged under the name “Priority Places”. We have since however, had confirmation from ACE that all of the Levelling Up for Culture Places are, in fact, now just part of the universal offer and not of specific priority. This might not have an impact on you, but as we and many others have been sharing both of these lists through our ACE workshops and knowledge-sharing to support applicants with project design, it feels important to flag this change in ACE's priorities. The following 56 locations that were only on the Levelling Up for Culture Places list and are not on the Priority Places lists, are therefore no longer seen as underrepresented places for Arts Council England: MIDLANDS Amber Valley, Bassetlaw, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Erewash, Newark and Sherwood, North Kesteven, North Northampton, North Warwickshire, Oadby and Wigston, Redditch, Solihull, South Holland, Tamworth, West Lindsey, Wyre Forest NORTH Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Flyde, Halton, Hyndburn, North Lincolnshire, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Oldham, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, Sefton, St Helens, Sunderland, Tameside, Warrington, West Lancashire, Wirral, Wyre SOUTH EAST Adur, Arun, Breckland, Castle Point, Eastbourne, Gravesham, Harlow, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Spelthorne, Swale, Thurrock SOUTH WEST Forest of Dean, Havant, Sedgemoor, Torbay, Torridge You can access the list of Priority Places on the ACE website here and here. As ACE have said to us in a communication this week, "We acknowledge underinvestment in other areas and we can and do still support activity outside these Priority Places through National Lottery Project Grants – decisions are made in a rounded way against the NLPG criteria of making a difference, in addition to thinking about specific place priorities." Hope this info helps, pls share with your networks!
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