Cultural ambitions for Croydon take shape

A focus on music and youth are proposed to sit at the heart of plans to develop a three-year Cultural Strategy for the borough, set out in a Croydon Council cabinet report.

One option to strengthen the borough’s arts sector could take the shape of an ambitious Music City concept, where production and performance, venues, festivals and education could be harnessed to drive economic growth to support the Creative Enterprise Zone.  This concept would follow in the footsteps of other renowned music destinations such as Nashville and Vienna.

The initiative would also aim to complement the area’s youth arts scene, harnessing the fact the borough has the highest proportion of under 25-year olds of any London local authority. Working with the Croydon Youth Arts Collective, the council’s Cultural Plan will explore how to bolster the sector still further, in addition to existing funding of £100,000 currently allocated.

By promoting growth, independence and liveability, council support for arts and culture is at the heart of changing perceptions of the borough.  With momentum already underway around festivals, music and performance art, the council is now looking at steps to harness the borough’s cultural resurgence more widely.

The council intends to consult on plans for the Cultural Strategy from August to October, with the aim of developing a three-year plan to begin at the start of the next financial year.

“Strengthening Croydon’s growing reputation as a destination for innovative arts and culture is part of our ambition to make the borough a great place to live, work and do business.  Performance, street art, dance and festivals all contribute not only to economic growth – but also creating a vibrant place to be.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport

The council’s cabinet will consider the report at their meeting on 11 June.

2018-06-04T12:29:34+01:00 June 4th, 2018|Recent news|