The Falmouth Packet has explored how the recognition of the importance to residents and businesses of Cornish culture, heritage and the arts has been reinforced when major investors in culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work closely together to promote Cornwall’s distinct identity.
The Falmouth Packet writes:
Representatives from Cornwall Council, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday. The first of its kind in the UK, it is a commitment that all will work together so that Cornwall Council, which has through its Culture Investment Board so far secured over £110 million of investment into Cornwall’s culture and heritage, can continue to support and promote Cornwall’s cultural distinctiveness.
Support for projects like:
- The Man Engine, striding the country to celebrate Cornwall’s mining heritage;
- Kresen Kernow bringing together the world’s largest collection of records, books, maps, plans and photographs related to Cornwall and protecting them for future generations;
- FEAST, which commissions projects to reach all communities in market and coastal towns, rural villages and hamlets alike and ‘Make great art happen across Cornwall’;
- Regeneration and relaunch of arts venues like the Hall for Cornwall and Tate St Ives.
As part of the Devolution Deal which Cornwall Council secured in 2015, it made a commitment to protect Cornwall’s culture and heritage through the formation of the Heritage Kernow Executive Board…
Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy and planning, said: ‘Cornwall’s culture, arts and heritage is important to many residents as they help give us a real sense of place and community. They support our economy and make us distinctive, not just in the UK but globally.’
By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, each partner is committing to work together to continue to encourage and support Cornwall’s arts and cultural economy and develop new, sustainable ways…
Mr Egerton added: ‘… There is already an excellent relationship that has been built up through the Council’s Culture Investment Board with Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England and the CIOS LEP who have made ‘creativity’ one their 10 Opportunities pitch to Government and business. By working more collaboratively, we can harness our collective resources to make a difference and deliver for the residents of Cornwall.’
Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England said: ‘Cornwall has a very special cultural identity, as well as an abundance of cultural riches…’
Following the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the Hall For Cornwall, partners were taken on a tour of the building by HFC’s Chief Executive and Creative Director Julien Boast. The theatre is currently closed for a major transformation project and Mr Boast welcomed the opportunity to outline the hall’s exciting plans for the future…’
