Boost for Northampton’s cultural vision

Published: 22 February 2020
Reporter: Steve Orme

“Bold vision”: Jo Gordon Credit: John Roan

Arts Council England has awarded Northampton £20,000 to create a cultural board to develop an “ambitious” vision for the town.

The new body will provide leadership to embed culture in Northampton’s DNA at a “critical” moment in the town's political and economic development. It will support other initiatives already underway, such as Northampton Forward which has culture at its heart to improve and revitalise the town centre.

The cultural board will aim to make Northampton a destination of choice in which to live, work and study. With the continued development of the Cultural Quarter, it will also try to attract world-class talent from the creative sector and promote the town as a destination for visitors.

Jo Gordon, Northampton Royal and Derngate chief executive, said, “this initiative will see key representatives from education, heritage, the visitor economy and the creative industries work in partnership with Northampton Borough Council and other private and public stakeholders to forge a bold vision for our often overlooked town, helping us to reposition Northampton as a major creative centre where talent, ideas and enterprise come together.”

Peter Knott, Midlands area director for Arts Council England, added, “Northampton is a place of opportunity with a great history of industry and creativity, and we look forward to seeing the impact the cultural board will bring to the town.”

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