WHAT IS CPP or CP&P?
It stands for Creative People & Places.
Creative People & Places is an Arts Council fund focusing their investment in parts of the country where people’s involvement in the arts is significantly below the national average, with the aim of increasing the likelihood of participation.
To achieve this the Arts Council are investing £37 million in a small number of locations of greatest need to empower them to experiment with new approaches and to develop inspiring, sustainable arts programmes that will engage audiences.
This process is well under way and we have achieved our funding as part of the third (and final) round of applications.
Where have the Arts Council invested so far?
Round one
Boston and South Holland Barking and Dagenham Doncaster
Wansbeck and Blyth Valley Blackpool and Wyre
Swale and Medway Stoke-on-Trent
Round two
Peterborough Hounslow
Ashfield, Bolsover, Mansfield and North East Derbyshire County Durham
Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton Corby
South Tyneside and Sunderland St Helens
Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle Kingston upon Hull
Kirklees
Round three (the final round)
Slough Luton
Fenland & Forest Heath
Why Fenland & Forest Heath?
These places were identified by the Arts Council and they invited organisations to put forward proposals to target these areas.
They were listed as two separate areas but ADeC decided to bid for them together.
This is because they are quite close geographically and have similarities in arts participation.
They are also two areas where ADeC are developing a number of effective partnerships.
Which specific towns are going to be involved?
FOREST HEATH: Newmarket Brandon Mildenhall
FENLAND: Chatteris Whittlesey Wisbech March
Even though we respect that each community may be starting from a different point and will have different resources, we aim to bring them together to work in partnership to develop their ideas.
A network will be established across the seven towns to enable groups to share resources, training and experiences.
Will activity just be focused on the identified towns?
Yes. Initial activity must be focused around the seven identified towns.
However, residents of the surrounding villages will be encouraged to help identify activities and to come into the towns to engage.
Over time it is envisioned that funding will be sourced or income generated to enable spin off events in satellite settlements.
What are the aims of ADeC’s CPP Project?
Our project is called ‘Market Place’
It seeks to:
Enable local people to regularly take part in the arts and play a role in delivering arts activities.
Nurture key groups of people, enabling them to develop the skills to work collaboratively and creatively with a range of producers, artists and arts organisations.
Empower, network, train and resource creative people in these communities to be the best they can be.
Collaborate with current, popular, public gatherings and traditions, creating, new extraordinary, site specific, commissioned work.
Develop new opportunities for people to enjoy and experience a wide range of outstanding arts activities.
Bring new artists into the region and help them to develop a new found respect for the district and built connections.
Change people’s attitudes towards arts in their communities to build and engage new audiences.
How will it work?
In each town, community arts forums will be established and supported to identify and select arts events.
This support will include creative mentors and links to a network of arts organisation both regional and national.
There are three stands of events we are aiming for.
Eye catching, exciting, free events in public spaces that treat people to high quality art experiences, capture the imagination and engage the community.
Sustainable events and activities in local libraries, school halls, community centres or museums etc. These events will make the most of current venues and explore new venue spaces.
Events which link with existing activities and festivals. The aim not being to overshadow or ignore current provision.
Alongside this there will be support and training to up skill local artists and volunteers and encourage local residents not just to enjoy the arts as audience members but also to become involved behind the scenes of their events. This will help establish a legacy.
What events will take place?
This is not decided yet and no events are already booked in.
Events and activities will be decided from the community up, not prescribed from above.
The project has communities at its core and as its building blocks.
How long will it last?
The initial funding is for 3 years but in accordance with the Arts Council requirements we have developed a 10 year vision for these communities.
How many people will be involved?
We have an initial target of enabling 7500 people engage with the arts to through performing, watching, listening, managing, staffing and volunteering at arts events.
How much money is there?
£964,218
This funding is to be shared between the seven towns over three years.
When will it start?
We are delighted to announce that our business plan has now been signed off by the Arts Council (January 2015) so delivery will commence this spring, starting with the recruitment of the local Arts Forum groups.
The Business Plan contains:
An outline for a means of successfully engaging with the communities in each Market Town.
The method for community participation in decision making - ensuring decision making is as close to the community as possible and that there is continued consultation with the public and other stakeholders throughout the project.
A plan for engaging creative producers and arts organisations.
A strategy for sustainability beyond the 3 year project.
An analysis of the current skills in the consortium and how any gaps will be addressed.
A detailed budget inc. Plans for demonstrating value for money, and earned income.
Who is currently involved?
The consortium that came together for the bid and who have been approved by ACE include ADeC, New Wolsey Theatre, Newmarket Racecourses, 20Twenty and MAP
They are supported by a secretariat of local arts officers.
These groups have drawn up a thorough Memorandum of Understanding to ensure a transparent and effective working relationship.
How do I get involved?
Some groups are already been involved through the business plan consultation and community profiling events in Chatteris, March, Brandon and Newmarket.
The exciting ideas offered up at these sessions and the enthusiasm and commitment showed at these meetings was inspiring.
If you would like to register your interest now, please contact [email protected]