A NEW cultural strategy for Oxford which will see the city council try to bridge funding gaps by working with businesses is recommended for approval today.

The local authority has said its “vision for culture” is to work in partnership with museums and galleries.

It plans to continue working with existing partners like the Museum of Oxford based at Oxford Town Hall, the Pegasus Theatre in East Oxford and Modern Art Oxford.

It will provide £274,000 in grants from its general funds to 10 cultural organisations, including Modern Art Oxford and the Oxford Playhouse.

But last month the council agreed to cut its budget in the coming year.

The cultural strategy, written by the council’s head of culture Peter McQuitty, said: “There are significant levels of disadvantage in the city and the city council believes that access to high quality cultural experiences – creating more quality cultural experiences for more people, more often – can play a vital role in regenerating communities and sustaining the city’s economy.”

Mr McQuitty also said the council faced reduced national funding for arts and culture.

He added: “Cultural organisations find themselves competing locally and externally for ever-decreasing pots of money.

“It will become increasingly important to identify efficiencies and explore delivery models over the next three to five years.”

He said the proposed strategy can be delivered through existing financial resources and partnership agreements.

The meeting will be held at Oxford Town Hall from 5pm.