My early cultural memories revolve around lively family gatherings, where food and storytelling took centre stage. I was particularly captivated by my mother’s tales of her childhood in Kashmir. It wasn't until my teenage years that I experienced culture beyond my home, attending productions like The Tempest and The Nutcracker. These performances ignited my passion for the arts, but like many young people in my city, financial barriers made it difficult to pursue that passion further.

Poetry was another strong influence in my upbringing, thanks to my father’s love for Urdu and Punjabi poets, especially legends like Allama Iqbal, after whom my brother was named, and Mohammed Mian Bakhsh. Studying A-level English Literature deepened my appreciation for poets like Shakespeare and John Keats—Keats’ “When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be” left a lasting mark on me.

For me, poetry and the arts have shaped how I see the world. But I also know that, for many young people from backgrounds like mine, the arts can feel like a distant privilege.

As Birmingham carves out its future in arts and culture, its rich diversity stands as both a powerful asset and a complex challenge. With a tapestry of ethnicities, faiths, and communities, it's crucial that the city's cultural landscape not only mirrors this variety but actively engages with it. Promising steps, like the revival of the Birmingham Cultural Compact and the new Birmingham Culture Strategy, are paving the way for a more inclusive arts scene. Yet, with tight budgets and financial pressures on local authorities and the cultural sector, the road to making this vision a reality isn't without obstacles. We need to make cultural exchange programs the norm, not the exception, to unite people and foster.

The Creatively Birmingham Statement of Intent, shaped by deep consultation with underrepresented communities, marks a pivotal move in ensuring the voices of marginalized groups are heard. This is even more important in the wake of the recent riots, it’s clear that culture must service as a bridge between communities. This thoughtful approach recognises the unique experiences of Birmingham's people, aiming to build a cultural sector that truly reflects its vibrant mix. But words alone aren’t enough—these ideas must translate into real, lasting change, not just lofty ambitions.

The focus on inclusivity is constant in the city's current and any future external funding for cultural projects. Applicants seeking funding are required to meet strict criteria, ensuring their work reflects and responds to the communities they intend to serve. Whether it's aligning with Ward Plans or engaging with specific ethnic groups, this approach ensures that cultural activities are rooted in the realities of Birmingham's people. Yet, while these targeted criteria are vital for representation, there’s a risk that over-bureaucratising the process could deter applications. A delicate balance is needed between being responsive to communities and allowing space for innovative, unrestricted artistic expression.

One of the most pressing challenges for Birmingham’s arts and culture sector is financial. The harsh reality is that internal council budgets for culture have mostly been cut but, the councils cultural service has demonstrated resilience by successfully drawing down external funding to support the sector and cultural engagement. Moving forward, the council and its partners must continue to identify new funding streams and advocate for the importance of arts and culture as a priority.

Equally critical is the engagement of younger generations in the city's cultural future. Birmingham has already laid the groundwork through its Creative Futures cultural strategy, which has been adopted across the sector to support children and young people in creative pursuits. More needs to be done to ensure that young people from all backgrounds can access opportunities in the arts -not just as participants, but as future cultural leaders. The council's efforts to include shadow artist programs and support for emerging artists from global majority communities are commendable, but a sustained, long-term investment is required to ensure these programs thrive.

Birmingham’s cultural scene is already deeply enriched by the city’s diversity, with past programs such as the Commonwealth Games 2022 Cultural Programme demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusion. The program's emphasis on diversity and youthfulness set a new benchmark for how cultural initiatives can reflect Birmingham’s demographic realities. Events like Black History Month and Windrush commemorations, as well as the work of organisations like Sampad, Centrala, Soul City Arts and the Legacy Centre of Excellence, are testaments to the vibrant cultural expressions emerging from Birmingham's diverse communities. But these successes should not be seen as isolated triumphs. They need to be built upon and embedded into the city’s long-term cultural fabric.

Ultimately, Birmingham’s cultural strategy will only succeed if it truly embraces the city’s complexity. The council must ensure that future commissioning, engagement, and funding models are designed with an eye towards both inclusivity and sustainability. We cannot afford to allow economic pressures to undermine the progress being made. The city's leaders must remain vigilant in ensuring that Birmingham’s arts and culture are as diverse and dynamic as the people who call it home.

As Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture, my vision for the city focuses on ensuring art equity, especially in a city where many young people and families face poverty. It’s crucial to provide opportunities for everyone to experience and pursue careers in the creative industries. We must build on the great work already happening across Birmingham.

While I’ve taken on this role during a time of financial challenges, with the city in the midst of a Section 114 situation, we must find sustainable ways to support arts and culture. My priority is to safeguard funding and help create long-term strategies that ensure the sector thrives. Moreover, I strongly believe in the importance of arts and culture for health and well-being. It’s not a luxury or “nice-to-have” but an essential part of a fulfilling life.

Through initiatives like the Birmingham Culture Compact and their leadership of our city’s new Culture Strategy, we can highlight why arts and culture are so crucial for our community’s overall well-being. In the end, Birmingham’s diversity should not just be acknowledged - it must be celebrated, uplifted, and centred in all cultural planning.

The arts have the power to unite communities, bridge divides, foster a shared sense of identity and, help drive our economy. With the right support, Birmingham's cultural sector can be a beacon of inclusivity and creativity, reflecting the rich mosaic of its people for generations to come