The new “Creativity Strategy” for North East Lincolnshire has been approved by the Council’s Cabinet [Weds 16 March 2022].
The strategy, developed working with specialist organisation, Beam and funded by NELC, Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund, will help to drive forward work to underpin the resurgence in creative activity in the area.
The strategy outlines nine “Stories” that will be considered in future arts, culture and heritage work:
- The role Grimsby, Immingham, Cleethorpes and the Wolds play in the world
- The Sea
- The Coast
- Green space, The Wolds, ecology and biodiversity
- Sustainable energy and environmental responsibility
- Welcoming visitors
- Food and drink
- Local people, industry, trades, innovations and achievements
- Historic buildings, public spaces and landscapes
“Stories are at the heart of this creativity strategy,” said Frances Smith at Beam. “The strategy is focused on how creativity can be used as a way to learn about, understand and share our stories with others. Stories will be at the heart of all creative activity in the area, the consistent themes running through everything.”
The Creativity Strategy outlines a five year framework and sets out key ambitions grouped under three key themes:
- Creativity for all: including increasing the amount and visibility of creative activities in the area, focussing on equity, diversity and inclusion, involving young people and bringing generations together;
- Creative economy: including developing the next generation of creative people, securing funding, supporting creative individuals and businesses;
- Creative working: including embedding creativity in everyone’s lives, taking advantage of digital technology, striving for quality, working in collaboration and learning from others.
These themes will be the driver for increasing the amount and quality of creative activity in the area, for increasing opportunities for people to be creative, for encouraging people to take part, for promoting the area, supporting the local economy and improving people’s lives.
Cllr Callum Procter, Cabinet member for economic growth, said: “I’m really pleased this has been put together. We’ve been doing a lot of work locally under the stewardship of Grimsby Creates programme and heritage investment in Cleethorpes through the Townscape Heritage work.
“This strategy provides the framework for us to continue to work together to showcase the stories of the people of the area and showcase our heritage in fun and engaging ways. There’s lots going on this year, including events like Grimsby Creates Noise this weekend and the Festival of the Sea in July that will already fit under one of the key themes of this strategy, and start to bring the strategy, and the stories, to life.”
The next steps will be to develop a Creativity Board for the area, alongside delivering a series of creative art commissions to start to bring the Strategy to life, engaging artists and creatives to collaborate with local residents.
The Creativity Board will be a steering group which will continue and lead the work developed in the Creativity Strategy. There will be opportunities for local creative individuals and businesses to take part through open recruitment to this.
The Creative Commissions are being promoted to artists and creatives based in the area who are passionate about engaging people through creative activity.
If you wish to be considered to be part of the Creativity Board visit the BEAM website: https://www.beam.uk.net/events/shape-the-future-of-creativity-in-north-east-lincolnshire/
If you want to find out more about the Creative Commissions see further details on the BEAM website: https://www.beam.uk.net/events/creativity-is-here-sharing-our-stories/
Share this article