The strategy outlines nine “Stories” that will be considered in future arts, culture and heritage work:

• The role Grimsby, Immingham, Cleethorpes and the Wolds play in the world
• The Sea
• The Coast
• Green space, The Wolds, ecology and biodiversity
• Sustainable energy and environmental responsibility
• Welcoming visitors
• Food and drink
• Local people, industry, trades, innovations and achievements
• Historic buildings, public spaces and landscapes

“Stories are at the heart of this creativity strategy,” said Frances Smith at Beam. “The strategy is focused on how creativity can be used as a way to learn about, understand and share our stories with others. Stories will be at the heart of all creative activity in the area, the consistent themes running through everything.”

The Creativity Strategy outlines a five year framework and sets out key ambitions grouped under three key themes:

• Creativity for all: including increasing the amount and visibility of creative activities in the area, focussing on equity, diversity and inclusion, involving young people and bringing generations together;
• Creative economy: including developing the next generation of creative people, securing funding, supporting creative individuals and businesses;
• Creative working: including embedding creativity in everyone’s lives, taking advantage of digital technology, striving for quality, working in collaboration and learning from others.

Read the full press release on the NELC website here.

Next Steps:

The next steps will be to develop a Creativity Board for the area, alongside delivering a series of creative art commissions to start to bring the Strategy to life, engaging artists and creatives to collaborate with local residents.

The Creativity Board will be a steering group which will continue and lead the work developed in the Creativity Strategy. There will be opportunities for local creative individuals and businesses to take part through open recruitment to this.

The Creative Commissions are being promoted to artists and creatives based in the area who are passionate about engaging people through creative activity.

Read more about the Creativity Board and Creative Commissions.

Image credit: Puppet Tree, Festival of the Sea 2021, photo: Spruce Creative.