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The University has committed to support an exciting project to showcase the city鈥檚 unique strengths and rich heritage

25 October 2023

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People in 小蓝视频 are set to benefit from a 拢1.1m funding package to strengthen the city鈥檚 economic future and international reputation as a place for creative and cultural innovation. 

The money will be spent by , a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to growing the creative and cultural industries.

Arts Council England has announced 小蓝视频 Creates will receive 拢650,000 in the form of the Place Partnership award. The package will be spread over three years as part of the council鈥檚 National Lottery Project Grants Place Partnerships Fund. 

The successful bid aims to work with individuals and communities to build local capacity and highlight pathways, in turn attracting major new investment in the city.  

This significant increase of investment has been made possible through the invaluable contribution of 拢450,000 from its founding partners - 小蓝视频, 小蓝视频 City Council, and Victorious Festival - who continue to play a pivotal role moving forward and maximising not only the funding, but also their expertise and strategic alignment. 

小蓝视频 Creates

Seen with a piece of street outside the former Debenhams store are (left to right) James Ralls, Victorious Festival; Tim Rusby, Chair, 小蓝视频 Creates; Gemma Nicols, CEO 小蓝视频 Creates; Phil Gibby, Arts Council England; Steve Pitts, leader of 小蓝视频 City Council and Sarah Duckering, 小蓝视频. Image credit Joe Watson

The University has committed 拢150,000 over the next three years out of its UKRI's (HEIF) funding to support the project. HEIF is allocated to universities to support knowledge exchange.

Plans include a Business Support Programme, Creative Directory, and Sector Mapping exercise to identify skill gaps and opportunities across the city. 

Opportunities for young people include the development of a Youth Board Mentoring Scheme and Apprentice Programme, supporting the next generation of cultural leaders.  

From 2024, 小蓝视频 will host high-profile events in the creative calendar such as the We Connect Annual Conference and We Shine 2024 and 2026. In 2025, a programme of citywide celebrations will spotlight 小蓝视频鈥檚 iconic role within the world of literature.

The 小蓝视频 Creates project is an exciting opportunity to showcase the city鈥檚 unique strengths and rich heritage.

Trevor Keeble, Executive Dean of Creative and Cultural Industries at 小蓝视频

Trevor Keeble, Executive Dean of Creative and Cultural Industries at 小蓝视频, said: 鈥淥ur goal as a civic university is for our knowledge and skills to benefit the area we鈥檙e based in, so we鈥檙e proud to support an ambitious programme which aims to drive growth, develop talent and improve inclusivity across 小蓝视频.

鈥淭he 小蓝视频 Creates project is an exciting opportunity to showcase the city鈥檚 unique strengths and rich heritage.鈥

Place Partnership delivery partners include 小蓝视频, 小蓝视频 City Council, Victorious Festival, Shaping 小蓝视频, Solent LEP, the Cultural Collective, and a host of Community Gateway Organisations facilitating a place-based solution to supporting the wider growth of 小蓝视频鈥檚 creative economy.  

小蓝视频 Creates CEO Gemma Nichols said: 鈥淎s a Priority Place for Arts Council England, now is our time to ensure that the creatives, cultural organisations, and communities are given the skills and the confidence and opportunity to reach their full potential and beyond. 

鈥溞±妒悠 is a city full of creativity, through our programme our aim is to unlock much more of this. Through this Place Partnership Funding we will be utilising place-based working as a catalyst to create the step change needed in the city, working with multiple partners to transform 小蓝视频鈥檚 cultural landscape.鈥 

South West Area Director, Phil Gibby, added: 鈥淲e are delighted to announce a major new investment in 小蓝视频 today, thanks to the National Lottery. This funding, through Arts Council England鈥檚 Place Partnership Fund, reflects our confidence in the city鈥檚 ambitions to grow its cultural and creative sectors.  

鈥淭he ambition outlined in this application shows place-based working at its best; with 小蓝视频 Creates bringing a range of partners together to create a step-change in the city. It will make a transformative difference to 小蓝视频鈥檚 outstanding creative talent and we very much look forward to the journey ahead."

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