Council awarded funding for a new creative vision for Bognor Regis
Arun District Council has been awarded funding from Arts Council England to establish a new creative vision for Bognor Regis.
The £10,000 grant will enable the authority to create an aspirational vision document which will set out how we can join with other partners to grow the town’s creative industry and boost the town’s economy.
The creative vision will focus on developing, encouraging, and supporting creative industries in the town whilst also celebrating our cultural heritage and highlighting local opportunities. The creative industries contribute £61 million to the local economy, with around 425 businesses and 2,000 employees in the district.
It will capitalise on ongoing regeneration in the town with the Alexandra Theatre project being pivotal in pushing this forward and providing a springboard for future events.
Consultation will be held with the local community, businesses, and partners to ensure that the creative vision is a vision shared by all.
Representatives from Arts Council England recently took up an invite from the council to visit Bognor Regis to see for themselves how the artistic ambitions for the town are being developed.
Jayne Tyler, Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England, said:
“We are very pleased to be supporting the development of this strategy for Arun and look forward to working with the many committed stakeholders in the future.”
Councillor Roger Nash, Chair of the Economy Committee at Arun District Council, said:
“This is fantastic news for Bognor Regis, I am delighted that Arts Council England has awarded this grant to help us create this new vision for the town. It will bring lots of local partners to the table and give us the best chance to put the town on the map.
“With the theatre hoping to complete in 2025, it’s a great chance for us to work with emerging creative industries and skills in the area to improve the lives and experiences of our residents for the better.”
Arts Council England has identified Arun as a levelling up for culture priority place until 2026 Priority Places and Levelling Up for Culture Places | Arts Council England