An unprecedented partnership of councils, education providers and the creative sector has come together to invest £324,000 to transform creative careers across Greater Lincolnshire, creating new jobs and apprenticeships.
Lincoln Arts Centre and Barbican Creative Hub, based at the University of Lincoln, have been awarded up to £219,454 from Arts Council England (Midlands) for the Routes In – Greater Lincolnshire Place Partnership project.
The funding is matched by a £55,000 investment from the University of Lincoln, alongside a combined £50,000 from Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, North Kesteven District Council, South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, and West Lindsey District Council – marking one of the most ambitious collaborations for the county’s creative industries to date.
Running from 2026 to 2029, the three-year programme will strengthen Greater Lincolnshire’s creative economy by investing directly in people, skills and pathways into employment. It will:
- Establish five creative apprenticeships, employed by the University of Lincoln, building capacity across the creative sector while making use of the University’s Apprenticeship Levy.
- Establish and grow the Greater Lincolnshire Creative Careers Network, connecting employers, educators, skills leads/hubs and emerging creative talent across the region.
- Deliver an annual programme of creative careers support, including job centre surgeries, mentoring and special careers and skills events, strengthening links between education and employers.
- Launch a Greater Lincolnshire Creative Careers Summit and Conference, bringing together industry leaders, educators and policymakers.
- Deliver governance and board development training, helping more people develop leadership skills and strengthening cultural organisations across the county.
The project supports national priorities around skills, economic growth and opportunity in some of our most rural communities. The project also reinforces the University of Lincoln’s role as a civic university, helping drive regional growth through skills, innovation and partnership.
Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “Universities have an important role to play in helping places and people to thrive. This investment demonstrates what can be achieved when we bring together education, local government and industry around a shared ambition for our region.
“The creative industries are a vital part of Greater Lincolnshire’s economy and identity, but they can only flourish if talented people can see clear pathways into rewarding careers. Routes In will help create those opportunities by investing in skills, supporting employers and enabling more people to build successful creative careers close to home.”
Ben Anderson, Creative & Executive Director at the University of Lincoln, said: “This project is about ambition. It’s been a labour of love to develop it, working many hours, going the hard yards and putting in the work that true collaboration takes. It’s about organisations across Greater Lincolnshire coming together with a shared belief that our future will be shaped by the opportunities we create for people today.
“Culture is built by people, and this investment is a powerful endorsement of developing talent, skills and careers that will help our communities thrive. Through apprenticeships, leadership development and stronger connections between education and industry, we’re creating foundations for long-term growth. It shows what we can achieve when we work together.”
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re pleased to be investing £219,454 into Greater Lincolnshire through our Place Partnership programme, using money from The National Lottery to create meaningful change through culture.
“We know that creative and cultural activities can make us feel happier and proud of the places where we live. This project will support Lincolnshire residents to develop creative skills and access exciting careers in the creative industries. Through partnership working across education and industry, communities will have more opportunities to connect, develop skills and strengthen their creative organisations.”
Further details about the programme and opportunities to get involved will be announced in the coming months.
In a joint statement, Cllr Sarah Sharpe (Boston Borough Council), Cllr Graham Marsh (East Lindsey District Council) and Cllr Elizabeth Sneath (South Holland District Council) from the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this important initiative and help to make a real investment in Lincolnshire’s future. By working together across local government, education and the creative sector, we’re unlocking opportunities that will help our residents to develop their skills, build rewarding careers and contribute to our communities.”
Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chair of West Lindsey District Council’s Thriving People Committee, said:“West Lindsey District Council is proud to be part of this county-wide collaboration.This investment is a great example of what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared vision for the future of Greater Lincolnshire.
“The Routes In programme will significantly improve creative skills across the county and create clear pathways into creative careers. Importantly, it will ensure that people living in our rural communities can benefit from the county’s growing creative sector by supporting talent wherever it is found.
“The creative industries can play a vital role in our local economy, and this partnership is about working collaboratively to open doors, support local businesses to grow and to make sure the next generation have the platform to be successful and build their professions and lives right here in Lincolnshire.”
Cllr Natalie Oliver, Executive Member for Children’s Services and Culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The creative industries can play a vital role in our local economy, and this partnership is about working collaboratively to open doors, support local businesses to grow and to make sure the next generation have the platform to be successful and build their professions and lives right here in Lincolnshire”
Cllr Samuel Grice, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “North East Lincolnshire Council is pleased to be a partner in the Greater Lincolnshire Place Partnership, working collectively towards the local skills strategy and helping to grow, develop and strengthen the creative industries across the region.”
Cllr Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council with executive oversight of the authority’s economy, cultural, leisure and arts services, said: “North Kesteven District Council is pleased to be working with the University of Lincoln and fellow councils to support skills, jobs and opportunities in the creative sector, helping to unlock its potential across Greater Lincolnshire. Through the nationally endorsed Hub, Sleaford, and our wider cultural programmes, we have long championed culture as a key driver of flourishing communities and economic growth. As local government evolves across Greater Lincolnshire, this University-led programme offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen collaboration, connections and opportunities for people and places across the region.”
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