Blackpool is laying the groundwork to transform itself into a flourishing arts hub, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of other seaside venues like Margate by becoming the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's beacon of creativity along the coast. A group including several of Blackpool's creative pillars, such as the Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens and Grundy Art Gallery, has come together with an eye on clinching that title by 2030.
The town has crafted a cultural strategy and has lodged a bid for £750,000 from the Arts Council, with a decision anticipated around March or April. During a session of the council's Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee, discussions also touched on nurturing a reservoir of local creative talent and providing training opportunities for the young.
Other initiatives may include the introduction of a digital cultural passport, tailored to spur youth engagement with the arts. Adam Knight, chief executive of the Grand Theatre who chairs the steering group, said: "The vision for 2030 is that Blackpool is the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's coastal capital of creativity. It is about uniting the town and looking at what we have to offer.
"And what Blackpool has is an unrivalled set of cultural assets. Where else can you see an ice show, watch a West End musical and soon even see a Monet from the National Gallery?"
Carolyn Primett, the council's arts chief, said a key objective was to centre young individuals in this strategy by providing them with work experience and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes operations at organisations like the Royal Shakespeare Company. She told the meeting attendees that Blackpool had already cultivated a dynamic arts scene, home to numerous gifted artists and creatives who have worked on nationally recognised projects such as neon lighting features for the Illuminations, reports .
Mr Knight said Blackpool possesses the potential to rival other seaside towns renowned for their arts scenes, such as Margate in Kent, which now hosts acclaimed galleries. The council agreed to continue backing the project, which encompasses the development of a comprehensive arts plan set for implementation from April 2025 until December 2027.
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