The 2019 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Enquiry – the first major external review undertaken by BCP Council – has now concluded.
The cabinet will be asked to accept and support the recommendations published in the final report.
The report identifies three themes which would be pursued to improve and grow the cultural offering across the area. These are talent, infrastructure and place. These have been identified to allow for an emphasis on creative education, ambitious development and investment in arts and culture and to enable more people of all backgrounds to actively participate in culture across the conurbation.
A Cultural Collective is being formed following the Enquiry to take these themes forward. Cabinet is asked to support the Collective and to approve recruitment of an independent chair to head up the Cultural Collective.
Councillor Mark Howell, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture said: “I urge cabinet to recognise how far we have come with this Enquiry, embrace this opportunity to strengthen local cultural infrastructure, and support the emerging Cultural Collective in delivering diverse, inclusive cultural experiences across our conurbation.”
A conference is being held at Lighthouse Poole on 23 March, where the results of the Cultural Enquiry will be discussed. With approval from cabinet, the Collective aims to drive forward a cultural strategy and implantation plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as a joint initiative with BCP Council.
