The next phase of work supporting creativity in North East Lincolnshire has been secured this week with the awarding of a £450,000 Place Partnership grant from Arts Council England.
The money will be used to build on the legacy of Grimsby Creates to deliver work strengthening support for local creatives to deliver new experiences and festivals happening in the borough, experimenting with new ideas, schools and community engagement work by providing advice, building strong networks and providing opportunities for newly commissioned projects.
Over the next three years, with the new Place Partnership grant, supported by UK Shared Prosperity Funds, the Council will lead a programme to grow ambitious creative activity across North East Lincolnshire capturing that renewed confidence, celebrating the borough’s collective history and green future.
The programme will grow Grimsby Creates’ work across the whole borough helping to deliver the recently adopted Creativity Strategy and action plan, and focus on participation and engagement, strengthening partnerships and realising the Council and Arts Council England’s aims as a Priority Place.
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Culture, said: “This is fantastic news, and means that we can continue the great work and momentum we’ve seen in the last three years. People engaged in arts, culture and creative occupations are really leading a change in confidence in the borough and in local activities.”
Pete Massey, Director, North, Arts Council England, said: “Congratulations to North East Lincolnshire on their Place Partnership Fund award. Place Partnership Funding is designed to help places make a step-change in the cultural and creative lives of the community and that’s exactly what this project will do.
“As a priority place we have already begun to see the transformational impact our investment has had in the region and this further funding will help to support and build on that work. There are exciting times ahead for culture and creativity in North East Lincolnshire.”
Through the Grimsby Creates programme:
- 120 creatives have received advice and guidance, helping secure in excess of £4m of grants, funds, sponsorship, contracts and investments.
- St James’ Square’s regeneration has been completed including new artwork from Annabel McCourt and Adrian Riley highlighting Grimsby’s heritage and people.
- Events including Festival of the Sea, #MyFishGY and Edible Grimsby attracted an audience of 64,624 and increased footfall on event days by an average of 7% in Grimsby town centre.
- 4 large scale murals in key locations have brightened up brick walls providing opportunity for celebration of heritage leading to increased pride across the borough.
- 55 networking events were offered throughout the programme creating a culture of collaboration and partnership working, strengthening the local creative sector and building the foundations for growth.
Activities outlined in the new programme include everything from micro, large scale and digital commissions (including more murals throughout the borough) especially focused on promoting the area’s heritage and green future, to development and continuation of events such as “Our Future Starts Here” and “Edible Grimsby”, alongside working with children and young people to encourage interest in creative activities and developing strong creative networks across North East Lincolnshire.
A full work programme is being drawn up, and opportunities for creative individuals and organisations will be promoted as they arise.
