North East Lincolnshire Council has appointed specialist organisation, Beam, to drive forward the work to create the new strategy needed to underpin the resurgence in creative work in the area.
Following the announcement of North East Lincolnshire as a Priority Place for Arts Council England yesterday, the Cultural Strategy, which was agreed the council in 2017, needs updating to reflect the significant strides have been made in the borough to bring culture and heritage forward.
Since 2017, significant amounts of government and National Lottery money has been awarded for programmes such as Grimsby Creates, Cultural Development Fund (CDF) programme, Heritage Action Zone, Cleethorpes Townscape Heritage Programme and Towns Fund programme.
Cllr Callum Procter, Cabinet member for culture, explained: “Creativity can play a vital role in the economic, social and environmental prosperity of our communities. Much of the activity being undertaken by the council and partners stems from that 2017 Strategy, and it’s now time to update our work and build on the firm foundations now in place.
“In recent years, money awarded through the various programmes and bids has supplemented and enhanced creative activity delivered by great local organisations. Now, this vital funding will help us develop that creative vision for the area, and help us secure support from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, working in partnership with the council.”
Specialist arts organisation Beam have more than 35 years’ experience in developing new creative approaches, particularly with public sector organisations.
Over the next few months, Beam will look at what progress has been made recently and, working with stakeholders and local people, develop a fun and engaging strategy for the future that will focus on three key elements:
- How to build leadership to champion the role of creativity across the borough
- how to engage young people
- how to celebrate North East Lincolnshire’s rich and varied heritage to wider range of audiences
Frances Smith at Beam continued: “Beam is delighted to have been appointed to create a dynamic Creativity Strategy for and with the people of North East Lincolnshire. We’re excited by this unique opportunity to consolidate the existing rich evidence base around culture and creativity in the area, build on achievements to date and explore how the power of creativity can help residents and visitors to shape NEL’s distinct sense of place.”
You can take part in the consultation in the following ways:
Participating in an online forum discussion via zoom. Sessions last up to 90 minutes and run on –
❖ Tuesday 19th October at 10am – 11.30am
❖ Wednesday 20th October at 4pm – 5.30pm
Register here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/182690340727
● Completing our online questionnaire before Friday 12 November 2021, 5pm
Access the questionnaire here – https://forms.gle/5gzkh46oPUUpyJBH6
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