Have your say on ambitious 10-year Cultural Strategy

Ambitious plans and priorities to shape the cultural landscape for the next 10 years have been put out for consultation.

“Vibrant Shropshire” has been developed to focus on keeping people happy and healthy, helping people who are lonely to connect with others, embracing the skills and experience of the older generation, attracting and keeping young people in the county.

Now Shropshire Council has put the Cultural Strategy out for consultation, giving people the chance to have their say until 5 January 2021.

The strategy has been developed in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Cultural Strategy Working Group, the Arts Council and the local cultural sector.

It follows one to one consultation with sector leaders and three workshops with individuals representing the wider cultural sector, which were held in Craven Arms, Shrewsbury and Wem prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Once published, an Implementation Plan will be created, setting out the actions across a range of partners for the next three years. This will be monitored annually, and a report will be published, setting out the progress against the priorities listed in this document.

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

“I am delighted to present the Cultural Strategy, which is today going out for public consultation, and I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say.

“This year has really brought home to many just how important culture is. We have missed our museums, cinemas and theatres and discovered our beautiful country parks and green spaces all over again.

“The importance of books, television, film and art has also been front and centre, so I would urge everybody to have a think and take part in the consultation.”

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.

You can take part in the consultation by visiting out Get Involved pages.