Culture and creativity 'heart' of new 10-year plan

BBC A brass band in bright blue uniforms marches through a crowded town street decorated with colourful bunting, as spectators line both sides of the road.BBC
Hundreds attended Flora Day in May

Culture and creativity is "at the heart" of a new 10-year plan by Cornwall Council.

The council said its new cultural strategy would "nurture and celebrate" its creative communities, with 7,350 people working in the county's creative and cultural sector, contributing £291m to the Cornish economy per year.

It said over the next decade, it would support individuals, organisations and businesses with access funding and networking opportunities.

Councillor Sarah Preece, cabinet member with responsibility for culture at Cornwall Council, said it wanted to make Cornwall the "creation nation".

She said: "Culture is embedded within Cornish communities and is an expression of our confidence and distinctiveness as the UK's fifth nation.

"It also provides opportunities for people to learn skills, get work, start a business and improve where they live.

"This strategy positions Cornwall as a leading place for creativity and innovation - where culture is embedded in everyday life and is accessible to all."

The council said it would work with partners to "inspire creativity in education" and to strengthen pathways through further and higher education.

The strategy would also highlight the importance of improving and protecting places such as venues, museums and libraries, which it said helped "showcase cultural activity" and brought "communities together".

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