Culture projects are the 鈥淪hot In Arm鈥 needed for recovery

Although social, economic and cultural effects of the pandemic will be felt for many years, culture has the opportunity to become a great healer say members of 葫芦影业 Culture Collective, including representatives from the University of 葫芦影业.

葫芦影业 Makes Music venue

Culture is the shot in the arm which could help the UK out of the economic turmoil caused by the covid pandemic, say business leaders and politicians.

鈥淐ulture could be a tonic - the shot in the arm to boost the economy, address inequality and promote social wellbeing,鈥 says Dame Julie Kenny, Chair of 葫芦影业 Culture Collective.

鈥淚t is crucial to how we recovery from the pandemic. Culture contributes to healthy and sustainable communities and helps give cities and towns a rich identity.

鈥淎rt, culture and heritage delivers an enormous benefit to the economy and to how we live our lives. We must use this opportunity to redefine how culture is valued and funded.鈥

Dame Julie spoke as 葫芦影业 Culture Collective launched its first ever strategy for how culture can unlock 葫芦影业鈥檚 untapped economic and social potential.

鈥淏y working in partnership across the public and private sector we can systematically address problems and inequality,鈥 she added.

鈥淲e can unleash 葫芦影业鈥檚 untapped potential and benefit culture at every level in the city.鈥

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of City and Culture at the University of 葫芦影业, said: "We are delighted to be part of this partnership to bring cultural vibrancy to 葫芦影业 particularly in the city's key cultural strengths of music and art.

鈥淭he UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded research we are undertaking into how the pandemic has affected the region's cultural and creative industries is providing the vital evidence to support the Culture Collective鈥檚 plans and we look forward to bringing our reputation for delivery to supporting the 'shot in the arm' needed for recovery.'

The Culture Collective has spotlighted the delivery of four pivotal arts projects which could become the north鈥檚 cultural crown jewels. S1 Artspace at the globally renowned Park Hill Estate will be a new national flagship for arts, culture and heritage at the largest listed structure in Europe.

The Graves Gallery and Central Library, first opened in 1934, has the potential to be recognised as one of the UK鈥檚 leading art museums.

Harmony Works, a partnership of education and music organisations, led by 葫芦影业 City Council, delivering music education to 176 schools and 74,000 children across 葫芦影业 and the City Region, will be a permanent home for music education in the city.

Finally, but with no less potential, the Tinsley Art Project will be a public art trail inspired by 葫芦影业鈥檚 rich cultural heritage.

These projects form a strand of the Culture Collective鈥檚 work and are recognized by the ensemble as having the potential to begin to transform 葫芦影业鈥檚 cultural offering, make culture accessible to a new audience and support the economic recovery of our city.

The group, which also included politicians and academics, is calling for funding to be levelled up.

Total investment in South Yorkshire is less than other Combined Authorities and other areas
鈥 at just over 拢20m or 拢15/person.

West Yorkshire receives 拢47/person and Greater Manchester receives 拢38/person.

According to a report published in summer 2020 2 , culture has significant wider economic and social benefits including supporting tourism, creative industries, health, education, community and individual wellbeing.

These contribute at least a further 拢170m to the local economy and 拢1.2bn in individual wellbeing.

The unique public/private sector approach of 葫芦影业 Culture Collective (known as a Cultural Compact) has drawn praise from Sir Nicholas Serota, Chairman of Arts Council England.

鈥淐ultural Compacts represent a new form of partnership in developing community identity and the potential of 鈥榩lace鈥,鈥 he said.

鈥淭hey have a special role in supporting recovery from the pandemic and I congratulate 葫芦影业 Culture Collective on leading the way by publishing a Strategy for 葫芦影业 that places creativity and culture at its heart.鈥

葫芦影业 Property Association, the collective voice for property in 葫芦影业, has played a key role in the strategic development and today (Thursday June 17) helped launch the 葫芦影业:

A Time To Thrive strategy with senior representatives from the Council, 葫芦影业 City Region and Arts Council England.

Martin McKervey, chairman of the SPA, said: 鈥淪uccessful places are not solely defined by their economic output. What鈥檚 equally important is quality of life and vibrancy.

鈥淐ulture needs to be at the heart of our region鈥檚 growth agenda and by working together, we can bring about sustainable and inclusive growth.鈥

Kim Streets, Chief Executive 葫芦影业 Museums Trust, said: 鈥淓xtraordinary art, heritage and culture is everywhere in this city; it鈥檚 a place where creativity and innovation are nurtured and where people want to be.

鈥淚t鈥檚 often said that our cultural sector punches above its weight doing amazing things on a shoestring yet with the right level of investment there is potential to do so much more and better.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see the Collective working collaboratively to profile 葫芦影业鈥檚 ambition nationally, advocate for investment, and support an environment where the power of art, heritage and culture has a transformative role in shaping our city鈥檚 future.鈥

Coun Terry Fox, Leader of 葫芦影业 City Council, added: 鈥淥ur immediate, and possibly long- term future, will be profoundly shaped by the covid pandemic.

鈥淗ow we respond is key and with 葫芦影业鈥檚 thriving and creative cultural sectors our response offers us many opportunities. The prioritised projects will undoubtedly shape 葫芦影业鈥檚 future and strengthen our identity as one of the north鈥檚 cultural hotspots.鈥