Introduction

Coventry City Council commissioned Warwick Business School in 2024 to undertake a Joint Cultural Needs Assessment (JCNA). The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that cultural activity across the city aligns with local priorities, community needs, and the goals of the One Coventry Plan. 

The JCNA follows the model of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) which examines health and wellbeing needs. While a JCNA is not a statutory requirement, it provides a framework for integrating culture into city planning and strengthening collaboration across Coventry's cultural ecosystem. 

1. Place Narrative, Vision and Profile

Coventry Today

Coventry has a long history of innovation, resilience and diversity. The city developed from a medieval centre of commerce into a major manufacturing hub, particularly within the automotive industry.

The destruction caused by the Coventry Blitz during the Second World War became a defining moment in the city's identity. Coventry rebuilt itself around values of peace, reconciliation and international friendship.

Today, Coventry is recognised as a centre for education, innovation and culture, supported by Coventry University and the University of Warwick. Its status as UK City of Culture 2021 helped transform the city's cultural landscape and increased participation in arts and culture. 

Despite these strengths, the city continues to face challenges including:

• Rising unemployment
• Cost-of-living pressures
• Health inequalities
• Housing pressures
• Environmental concerns

Culture is identified as an important contributor to addressing these challenges while supporting economic growth, wellbeing and community cohesion. 

JCNA Vision

Vision

Investing in culture and the creative economy is fundamental to Coventry's economic growth, social cohesion and community wellbeing, helping create a stronger and more resilient city. 

Mission

To align Coventry's cultural, heritage, tourism and creative industry strategies with the One Coventry Plan so that the cultural sector works collectively to serve local communities and meet their needs. 

Population

Coventry's population is estimated at approximately 360,000 residents.

Key characteristics include:

• One of the fastest-growing cities in the West Midlands.
• A relatively young population.
• Significant influence from two major universities.
• Growing numbers of residents aged 65 and over.
• Continued population growth driven largely by migration and students. 

Ethnicity and Cultural Identity

Coventry is one of the UK's most diverse cities.

Key facts:

• 55.3% of residents identify as White British.
• 44.7% identify with other ethnic backgrounds.
• More than 190 languages are spoken by school children.
• Around half of children born in Coventry have at least one parent born outside the UK.
• The largest religions are Christianity (43.9%) and Islam (10.4%). 

Health and Wellbeing

Levels of health and wellbeing are below average compared with many other areas.

Key challenges include:

• Declining mental wellbeing since 2018.
• Persistent health inequalities.
• Lasting impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. 

The report highlights strong evidence that cultural participation improves wellbeing.

Examples include:

• Reduced loneliness.
• Improved confidence.
• Increased sense of belonging.
• Better mental wellbeing outcomes.
• Greater community engagement. 

Economy

Coventry's economy generated approximately £11.8 billion GDP in 2022.

Strengths include:

• Advanced manufacturing.
• Engineering.
• Foreign investment.
• Growing university-led innovation. 

Challenges include:

• Slower economic growth than regional and national averages.
• Rising unemployment.
• Increasing economic inactivity due to long-term illness.
• Limited growth in some creative sectors. 

Education and Skills

Coventry has a highly educated population

• 40.7% of working-age residents have NVQ Level 4 qualifications or above.
• The proportion of residents without qualifications has halved during the last decade.
• Universities play a major role in skills development and economic growth. 
• However, early childhood development remains below national averages.

Deprivation and Cost of Living

While some deprivation measures have improved, significant challenges remain.

Key issues include:

• 22% of households experience fuel poverty.
• 28% of children live in low-income households.
• Cost-of-living pressures are affecting wellbeing and financial security. 
• The report identifies a clear relationship between deprivation and lower levels of cultural participation. More deprived communities are less likely to engage in cultural activities. 

Housing and Environment

Housing challenges include:

• Older housing stock with poor insulation.
• High energy costs.
• Overcrowding.
• Growing homelessness and emergency housing needs. 

Green Spaces and Environment

Green space plays an important roe in wellbeing.

Key findings:

• 43% of residents view local green spaces positively.
• 16% use local green spaces daily.
• 27% use them weekly.
• 15% never use them. 

Cultural Assets and Resources

Coventry's Cultural Strategy

Coventry's Cultural Strategy was launched in 2017 and focussed on five original goals:

• Partnerships
• Lifelong Learning
• Diversity
• Health and Wellbeing
• Economic Growth

Additional goals were later added:

• Green Futures
• Cultural Participation and Opportunity 

Cultural Funding

Coventry experienced substantial growth in cultural investment due to UK City of Culture 2021.

Achievements include:

• Growth from three Arts Council-funded National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) to nine.
• Arts Council funding increasing from approximately £2.08 million to £3.74 million. 

However:

• Funding has now returned to pre-City of Culture levels.
• Real-terms funding is approximately 26% lower than in 2018. 

Key Cultural Organisations and Assets

Notable cultural assets include:

• Belgrade Theatre
• Warwick Arts Centre
• Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
• Coventry Transport Museum
• Coventry Cathedral
• Historic Coventry Trust
• Albany Theatre
• Imagineer Productions
• Talking Birds
• Open Theatre 

Major heritage developments include:

• Restoration of the Charterhouse.
• Redevelopment of Drapers' Hall.
• Enhancement of London Road Cemetery.
• Expansion of heritage events and festivals. 

Notable cultural events include:

• Godiva Festival
• MotoFest
• Coventry Biennial
• Heritage Open Days 

Cultural Participation

Participation Levels

Headline participation figures show:

• 84% engaged with arts activities in person.
• 34% engaged with arts online.
• 26% visited libraries.
• 58% visited heritage sites.
• 39% visited museums or galleries. 

Growth in Participation

Regular cultural participation increased:

• From 52% in 2018
• To 66% in 2022
• Settling at 63% in 2024
• This increase is linked strongly to UK City of Culture 2021 and community-led cultural programmes.

Impact on Wellbeing

The report finds a positive correlation between cultural participation and wellbeing.

Residents spending more than 2.5 hours per week participating in cultural and social activities report the highest wellbeing scores. 

Cultural engagement is also associated with:

• Greater satisfaction with local areas.
• Stronger sense of belonging.
• Increased social cohesion.
• Improved perceptions of community relationships. 

2. Place Outcomes

The JCNA aligns with the One Coventry Plan and supports five key city-wide priorities:

• Increasing economic prosperity.
• Improving outcomes and reducing inequalities.
• Tackling climate change.
• Ensuring financial sustainability.
• Strengthening partnership and leadership. 

3. Cultural Resources and Capacity

Coventry's cultural ecosystem includes:

• Arts organisations.
• Cultural charities.
• Universities.
• Community groups.
• Volunteers.
• Freelancers.
• Heritage organisations. 

The city benefits from:

• More than 1,000 cultural and heritage charities.
• Strong volunteer networks.
• Growing partnerships through Culture Works Collective.

4. Cultural Outcomes

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Planned outcomes include:

• Representative cultural leadership.
• Increased participation from target communities.
• Equitable cultural investment across neighbourhoods.
• Improved health and wellbeing through cultural activity. 

Economic Prosperity

Desired outcomes include:

• Increased cultural tourism.
• Stronger creative industries.
• Higher civic pride and confidence.
• Attraction of major events and investment. 

Climate Action

Objectives include:

• Environmentally responsible cultural programming.
• Support for net-zero ambitions.
• Carbon reduction advice for organisations.
• Increased environmental accreditation. 

Financial Sustainability

Key aims include:

• More successful funding applications.
• Stronger governance through Culture Works Collective.
• Diversified income streams.
• Greater resilience across the cultural sector. 

Conclusion

The Joint Cultural Needs Assessment finds that culture plays a significant role in improving Coventry's economy, wellbeing, social cohesion and quality of life. While the city has made major gains through UK City of Culture 2021 and subsequent investment, continued support, participation and sustainable funding will be crucial to maintaining momentum and achieving the ambitions of the One Coventry Plan.