Creative and heritage industries in North East Lincolnshire have grown significantly over the past year, generating over £5.3 million in external investment and delivering hundreds of employment opportunities through the Create North East Lincolnshire (Create NEL) initiative.
Launched in September 2023 with support from Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North East Lincolnshire Council, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Create NEL supported the region’s creative economy through targeted investment, cross-sector collaboration, and talent development.
In 2024/25, 45 funded projects attracted £5.35 million in heritage and cultural investment into the area. Over 3,700 hours of paid work for local creatives were recorded, and 451 volunteers were engaged in community projects. The programme distributed more than £136,000 in direct grants to 23 practitioners and 23 larger-scale and small-scale projects, with 54% of funds going to first-time recipients.
The initiative supported a broad range of activities, from public art and performance to music and visual arts, with over 61% of the funded work falling under these categories. Major events such as Edible Grimsby, Our Future Starts Here, and the Festival of the Sea collectively attracted over 11,000 attendees. Meanwhile, Paint the Town Proud completed its 14th mural and extended its community outreach through merchandise and workshops.
In addition to project funding, the programme ran 347 workshops and mentoring sessions, 115 public engagement events, and a creative careers conference to strengthen the local talent pipeline and support long-term sector sustainability.
With continuing public investment and growing participation across disciplines, Create NEL is positioning North East Lincolnshire as an emerging hub for creative sector development with economic and social impact for the wider region.
Image source: North East Lincolnshire Council
