Blackpool Awarded £750,000
Blackpool awarded an incredible £3/4 million funding for an exciting new Cultural Strategy.
Blackpool is lighting up with joy following a successful Arts Council England funding bid for £750,000 and is now well on its way to becoming the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity by 2030!
The £3/4 million award was granted to the popular seaside resort as part of Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund. This significant funding boost will support the Cultural Strategy’s mission to unite Blackpool’s existing wealth of creative leaders to shape, develop and offer a dynamic programme of new and exciting cultural opportunities, that will further cement the town’s reputation as a vibrant centre for creativity.
The Creative Blackpool Development Group is made up of representatives from local cultural organisations and independent artists who are deeply embedded in the town’s creative fabric and includes Grand Theatre, Grundy Art Gallery, Showtown, LeftCoast, Aunty Social, TramShed, Electric Sunshine Project, House of Wingz, Abingdon Studios, Winter Gardens, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Blackpool Bid and Blackpool Council. The Group has come together to create an extensive action plan to support Blackpool to achieve status as a thriving hub of creativity by 2030.
The Development Group is also delighted to announce the appointment of Kerry Vasiliou as its Partnership Director to guide the project and collaborate with all the partners. Born and raised in Blackpool, Kerry is not just familiar with the creative local landscape - she’s helped to shape it, having played a pivotal role in transforming the award-winning museum Showtown from concept to reality, while her former tenure at the Grundy Art Gallery laid a powerful foundation for inclusive, community-driven engagement within the visual arts. Reshmi Chanda has also been appointed as the new Apprentice Finance and Data Administrator to provide support for this project
The Cultural Strategy states that Blackpool’s vibrant communities and rich cultural heritage are at the heart of a culture that shines brightly towards a sustainable future, attracting diverse visitors and creatives and producing world-class art.
For further information please visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk