New Cultural Strategy for Shropshire to go out for consultation

A new Cultural Strategy, setting out the future ambitions for Shropshire, will go out for consultation after being considered by Cabinet yesterday (Monday 5 October 2020).

“Vibrant Shropshire” was developed in partnership with key stakeholders including the Arts Council and the local cultural sector, through the Cultural Strategy Working Group. This is a strategy not just for Shropshire Council, but the wider cultural sector to take ownership of.

The new strategy sets out the ambition and priorities for the cultural sector in the Shropshire Council area over the next ten years. It aims to raise further awareness of the importance of culture, leisure and tourism.

Shrewsbury Library

The importance of culture to our physical and mental health has been highlighted by the current pandemic. This strategy aims to give the guidance needed to create a place where extraordinary and everyday cultural experiences are a source of inspiration for all.

The new strategy emphasises the importance of culture to the quality of life, health and wellbeing and the economy, and the role it plays in developing happier and healthier people and communities.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture, leisure, waste and communications, said:

“Coronavirus has focussed our minds on what we have missed as so many places were forced to close. It certainly highlighted how much we value our cultural assets like museums and theatres, and just how much we enjoyed using our country parks for our daily exercise.

“This Cultural Strategy was developed in partnership with the county’s cultural sector so is not just a Shropshire Council strategy, but a strategy that everyone in the Shropshire Council area can really take ownership of.

“The sector needs a joint effort, whether it be time or money, to recover and flourish as we know it can in Shropshire.”

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director for Arts Council England, said:

“We’re pleased to hear about these plans for a new cultural strategy in Shropshire.

“Planning for the future makes it possible for more people to access creativity, development, training and wellbeing opportunities, which helps make the county a great place to live, work, study and visit.”

A spokesperson for University Centre Shrewsbury said:

“University Centre Shrewsbury developed  in partnership with the council, and culture has been a key part of what we do, with programmes ranging from musical theatre to museums practice.

“A strong cultural offer encourages people to work, study and open businesses in Shropshire, and so plays a huge part in the economy, and we are keep to make an ongoing contribution to the development of this strategy.”

The draft Cultural Strategy will be available for public consultation between October and mid-December 2020.

You can access the Cultural Strategy by clicking here.