Writing in The Guardian, Arts Council England chairman, Sir Nicholas Serota, explains how creative projects have boosted well-being and brought money and life back to high streets, from Folkestone to Margate.
Announcing the launch of Arts Council England’s report, The Value of Arts and Culture in Place-shaping, Sir Nicholas discusses the changing identities of our towns and high streets and how arts and culture shapes how people decide where to live and how they feel about where they live.
The presence of a theatre, a gallery or a library – places where people gather to enjoy themselves and share an experience – can help to sustain towns through the transformations of our age. They can generate local pride and help to forge a new identity based on creativity, while still celebrating their past
Citing Turner Contemporary Margate and Folkestone’s Triennial and Creative Quarter as key examples, this article – and the Arts Council’s new report – presents hard evidence showing that arts matter to people across the country and makes clear the case for greater investment in culture.
Click to read Sir Nicholas Serota’s article for The Guardian
