Calling all Glossop creatives,
Exciting times are ahead for The High Peak as the council begin to develop a cultural strategy for the future of the region! This initiative aims to create a vibrant, inclusive vision for cultural life, and the High Peak Borough Council team would like your help to make it a reality.
Why a Cultural Strategy is Crucial for Glossop
Creating a cultural strategy is more than just planning events—it's about building a future that celebrates and nurtures heritage, diverse talents, and community spirit. Here’s why this strategy is exciting:
- Preserve Our Heritage: Glossop’s historical roots are deep and significant. A cultural strategy ensures that our heritage is integrated into our future.
- Economic Growth: A thriving cultural scene boosts local economies. By investing in arts and culture, we attract tourism, create jobs, and stimulate local businesses, contributing to Glossop’s economic prosperity.
- Community Bonding: Cultural activities bring people together under a sense of unity and belonging. They create shared experiences that strengthen community bonds and enhance social cohesion. Think about the Victorian Heritage Weekend or attending an arts workshop and how being part of those enhance local life.
- Empower Local Talent: Glossop is brimming with creative talent. We have over 350 creatives in our network, which means that around 1 in 100 people in the town are artists in some form or another. We live in a truly creative place! A cultural strategy provides a platform for artists, musicians, writers, and performers to showcase their work, collaborate, and grow their skills.
- Improve Well-being: Engagement in arts and culture enhances mental and emotional well-being. A vibrant cultural life enriches the quality of life for all residents, making Glossop an even more wonderful place to live.
Get Involved: Join the Cultural Strategy Advisory Group
Joanne Blunt is the Arts, Culture & Heritage Officer at HPBC. Many of you heard from her at our last network meeting. Joanne is forming an advisory group to guide the team through this development process, and she invites you to join! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate community member, your insights and experiences are invaluable.
Members of this group will:
- Act as "critical friends" through the development of the strategy and suggest areas of improvement and new areas to explore.
- Use their knowledge and expertise (of all kinds - not just cultural!) to help us to reach new people, generate new ideas and create a strategy that will represent people of all backgrounds throughout the High Peak.
- Provide feedback on the strategy and action plan.
Here’s how you can participate:
- Apply to Join the Advisory Group: Read more about the advisory group and find the application form on the Council’s website here. Individuals from all backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome.
- Spread the Word: Help this to reach as many people as possible. Share the announcement on Facebook and X (Twitter) using the provided links. The success of the strategy relies on widespread community engagement.
- Engage in Events and Consultations: Over the next year, there will be numerous events, consultations, and opportunities for you to contribute your ideas and feedback.
- Share Your Ideas: Whether you have a specific vision for Glossop’s cultural future or just a few ideas, your input is crucial. Reach out to HPBC via Joanne and share your thoughts.
- You can learn more about the plans in the "How We Will Develop The Strategy" document here. Keep an eye on the Cultural Strategy website page, and the Council's social media accounts to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.
To apply, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over from the date of your application.
- Live, work or volunteer in the High Peak.
- Complete this application form- click here
The deadline for applications will be 11:59PM on Sunday 30 June. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. HPBC will inform everyone who has applied of their decisions on or before Friday 14 July 2024.
HPBC will use the applications they receive to create a group that reflects as many different experiences as possible. They are looking for both arts professionals and non-arts professionals to apply. Meetings will be approximately once per month for around 12 months and will endeavour to accommodate any and all access needs.
Next Steps
The development plan for the cultural strategy is divided into eight stages, focusing on community engagement and data gathering. By the end of this process, there will be a comprehensive cultural strategy and an action plan to realise the vision, up to 2030. While public activities around the strategy are on hold until after the election, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved afterward.
For any questions please contact Joanne at joanne.blunt@highpeak.gov.uk. Glossop Creates can answer some questions too as we work on cultural strategies in our wider work as Local. Together, we can all help to shape a cultural strategy that hopefully paves the way for greater creative prospects in our town.
