Artists and those who work in the cultural and heritage sectors are being invited to help shape a new ‘cultural framework’ for Westmorland and Furness.
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to the continued growth of creative industries, and to supporting the cultural economy to thrive and remain sustainable.
The cultural framework will set out the ways the council can work with local artists and organisations to deliver the sort of lifelong positive benefits that come with a strong culture, arts, creative and music scene, which helps support health and wellbeing and a positive sense of community and place.
The council is now keen to hear from anyone in the independent arts, culture and heritage sector in Westmorland and Furness and to invite them to learn more and to contribute to the emerging framework at one of three group discussion sessions in October.
The sessions are:
Monday 7 October, 2pm-6pm, at The Coro, Ulverston
Tuesday 8 October, 1pm-5pm, at Penrith Library
Thursday 10 October, 6pm-8pm, online
The sessions have been designed to enable open and constructive conversations and are being led by independent cultural consultant Mark Dobson, supported by BarrowFull Creative Director Daniel Tyler-McTighe.
No council officers will attend these sessions but the comments, ideas and outcomes from the discussions will feed into the work to develop the cultural framework.
Light refreshments will be available at the two in-person sessions and a limited number of allowances will also be available for self-employed or freelance artists, producers and other cultural workers based in Westmorland and Furness for attending the in-person events, to recognise that attendance at these sessions could mean loss of working/earning time.
A £100 bursary allowance for in-person attendance on either 7 or 8 October is available and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Invitations have already been sent out directly to a number of artists and organisations, but anyone who works in the sector who would like to come along to the sessions (including the online session on 10 October) is asked to contact Kate.Giergiel@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk by Tuesday 1 October to confirm your place, letting us know of any access needs you have and if you are applying for the freelance bursary allowance.
If you are registering for the online session on 10 October, you will then be forwarded the meeting link nearer the time.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities said: “Our Council Plan sets out how important we consider a thriving cultural sector to be in not only supporting economic growth and making our area a great place for people to want to live, but in how it supports people of all ages to live healthy, happy lives.
“Our cultural framework will help to set out how we will work in partnership with our artists, cultural and heritage organisations to help achieve these goals and to ensure that Westmorland and Furness continues to be a great place to live, work and thrive for generations to come.
“We are keen that as many people as possible from the arts and cultural sector attend one of the sessions so we can hear your views and that your voices are reflected as we develop this important framework. If you can’t make the in-person sessions in Ulverston and Penrith then please register for the online session.’’