Council sets out cultural investment to benefit community wellbeing and local economy

To support community wellbeing and stimulate the local economy, Eden District Council is proposing an additional investment package in local arts and culture.

It is hoped that the investment – set out across five key strands – will strengthen and showcase the district's vibrant cultural life, help to bring communities together and give a boost to the visitor economy.

Already approved is an investment into cultural activity through the Inspiring Eden programme, with a focus on town centres, youth employment and entrepreneurship, tourism, and decarbonisation. Inspiring Eden is the Council's economic plan to achieve rural excellence. Backed by an investment of £780,000, the programme looks to drive economic recovery and prosperity across the district in the coming months and years.

Also outlined is a financial boost for five key arts organisations in Eden. The organisations set to receive funding are those that act as hubs for local artists and craftspeople, and deliver a range of activities for the district's communities. Subject to approval, BlueJam Arts, Eden Arts, Eden Valley Artistic Network, Highlights Rural Touring, and UpFront Arts will all receive funding to support their event programmes, business capacity and sustainability.

Additional support is being earmarked for Penrith's popular Winter Droving Festival, which has grown in scale and impact, and is now a key annual event for residents and visitors alike.

As part of Eden District Council's move to a single site at Voreda House, a vision is being set out for the future of its current building at Town Hall.  Plans are in the works to reimagine the Town Hall as a physical hub for an economic and cultural renaissance of Penrith. In the coming weeks and months, the building will be used as an arts and culture testbed, with small scales events taking place and partners invited to programme the space to test new ideas and invite participation in the arts.

Finally, an open-access grants scheme for arts and community groups will be made available to help fund cultural activities that bring people together and celebrate Eden's creativity.

A spokesperson for Eden District Council said:

"Last year, the Council commissioned We Are Team to create a cultural programme for the district, and to review the council's arts and culture strategy and funding. This was with a view to enhancing the impact culture can have on community wellbeing and the economy in the district.

"Work to date has included a review of arts and culture in Eden, of its national and regional strategic context, alongside a programme of cultural activity across the district which has levered in £142,000 additional funding to complement the Council's £16,000 investment to date. This programme will continue throughout the year.

"Now, with the transition getting underway to the new unitary authority of Westmoreland and Furness Council, Eden District Council is looking to allocate additional funds for investment in the cultural sector in 2022/23, with the aim of giving Eden's culture a higher profile and stronger foundations, in preparation for responsibility passing to the new authority in April 2023."

For more information on Eden District Council's support for local arts and culture, visit www.eden.gov.uk