Arts and Culture Programme Brief in Manchester

Arts and Culture Programme

Contract: Outside IR35 / We welcome applications from both individuals and Consultancy.

Location: British Cycling are based in Manchester, it is expected that there may be some requirement to visit the office but this contract can be fulfilled predominately remotely / hybrid.

Procurement stage: Open

Closing: Wednesday 21 January 2026

Contract Value: Funding available £15K, anticipated programme value being circa £1M+ project

About British Cycling

British Cycling exists to bring the joy of cycling to everyone.

We have embarked on an exciting new journey, with a modernised commercial and events offering grounded in social impact and storytelling, harnessing the spotlight and inspiration of our athlete’s performance on the world stage, and our growing portfolio of major events.

We are working towards our three key priorities outlined in our strategy; to support and grow the sport to make cycling more inclusive and accessible, to lead on the world stage by winning and winning well, and to drive social impact by tackling inequalities through providing opportunities.

Background

In 2027 the UK will host the Grand Depart of both the Tour De France and the Tour De France Femme, Avec Zwift. This will be the first time in history that both races have departed from the same country, outside of France. A landmark social impact programme will also be delivered across the UK, tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Grand Depart GB 2027 – will maintain oversight of the delivery of the events and will manage public funding on behalf of DCMS, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and UK Sport.

The SPV is a Joint Venture between UKEL (a new sports events company) and British Cycling.

British Cycling will deliver the operational and business function, social impact and volunteer programmes along with all consumer facing functions, on behalf of partners.

The Programme

A dedicated social impact programme, JOY, is being developed to deliver lasting impact beyond 2027, focused on improving health and wellbeing, skills development and connecting communities. The programme will create an opportunity for young people to develop and showcase their skills whilst bringing together community groups to showcase and celebrate their local area.

Six UK wide programmes will be rolled out across 2026-27, Arts and Culture forming one of these core strands.

Arts and Culture Programme

The Arts and Culture Programme will embed communities into the animation of the Tour, celebrate the heritage of each home nation, reflect local culture, and spotlight cycling as a vital part of everyday life. Featuring a golden “TdF thread” woven throughout the home nations and local authorities, the programme will give each region the opportunity to showcase its identity through arts and culture. Local professionals, creatives, and students will play a central role in bringing the Tour de France to life within communities as we welcome this global event.

The programme will shape the cultural narrative of the Grand Départ, driving our ambition to deliver a vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable experience. It will celebrate local identity, creativity, and community spirit through bold and imaginative storytelling.

The cultural programme should capture the significance of hosting both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femme avec Zwift Grand Départs and weave in the rich heritage and cultural expression of each home nation.

What we’re looking for;

British Cycling is seeking a Consultant or Consultancy to:

1. Develop an Arts and Culture Programme for the Grand Départ 2027 in collaboration with our internal team, partner organisations and local authority hosts and funding partners. The programme must align with the Joy Social Impact Programme and wider event objectives.
2. Identify and secure funding opportunities to support delivery of the Arts and Culture Programme across England, Scotland, and Wales. This includes leading on funding applications (stage 1 where it’s a multistage process) securing funding from local authorities and developing a strategic delivery plan, timeline, budget, and delivery model.

Having done some initial scoping, it is anticipated that the programme may include elements such as large-scale land art, Tour themed visual art, and music or performance along the event routes. Further information, on work done to date, will be provided following contract award.

Resources and Funding

• A budget of £15k is available for this piece of work.
• A Social Impact Officer from British Cycling’s Tour de France Delivery Unit can be made available to support the project, subject to discussion of requirements.

How to apply

If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape a bold and inclusive cultural programme for one of the UK’s biggest sporting events, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit the following by clicking on APPLY:

• A short (maximum 2 pages) concept plan outlining your approach to developing the Arts and Culture Programme across the three nations
• A portfolio of recent work or links to projects demonstrating your creative approach and impact
• A costings plan for this piece of work

If you have any questions regarding the opportunity or clarifications, please submit these to enquiries@letourgb.com.

We welcome applications from both individuals and organisations.

Project Timeline

• Applications close: Wednesday 21 January 2026
• Submission evaluations, which may include interviews: 22 – 30 January
• Contract offered: Friday 30 January 2026
• Work to commence: February 2026
• Target submission of funding applications: April–May 2026, where feasible