The Council’s commitment to supporting Cornwall’s cultural and creative industries has been held up as an example of good practice by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Creative Industries Federation.
The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has published a guide which offers advice to local authorities on the importance of supporting their local creative industries.
The guide features Cornwall Council’s funding for Creative Kernow’s Cultivator 2 programme as a case study. The Council’s investment and collaborative approach unlocked £1.4 million of European Social Fund money, £2.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund, £500k from Arts Council England and £180k of other funding. The scheme provides support to around 300 businesses a year with help such as grants, coaching and mentoring, a graduate start-up programme and the direct creation of over 40 jobs.
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning, Tim Dwelly, said: “We recognise the huge contribution that the creative industries make to Cornwall’s economy.
“Our investment helps to deliver innovative projects and create jobs to boost the Cornish economy and encourage communities to get involved with what makes Cornwall’s distinct culture and identity so special. The creative industries in Cornwall deliver for our economy and make us distinctive, not just in the UK but globally.”
In April, the Council brought forward Council funding that had already been allocated for this year to provide early practical support to creative and arts organisations affected by the unprecedented lockdown due to Covid-19.
Cornwall Council is currently developing a Creative Manifesto – a new strategy for Cornwall’s cultural and creative sectors – with the vision and ambitions of this new strategy linked to and be driven by the Council’s economic recovery and renewal planning.
Dwelly added: “Our creative sector is a huge cultural and economic asset that before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, was growing at twice the rate of the UK economy.
“The funding we invest unlocks further support for projects as, by working collaboratively, we can harness our collective resources to make a difference and deliver for organisations, businesses and the residents of Cornwall.”
