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Image credit: In Memoriam by Luke Jerram, credit Mark Gray

The West of England Cultural Compact aims to focus and amplify the role of culture in the region, as a driver for economic success, placemaking, community cohesion and personal wellbeing.

Cultural Compact

What are the project aims?

  • Developing a plan for culture in the West of England, that will focus funding and resource where it can have the greatest impact
  • Understanding and supporting the region’s cultural ecosystem
  • Putting culture at the heart of local and regional government, community and business groups
  • Attracting funding for cultural activities in the region
  • Promoting the value of culture and the value of investment in culture
  • Linking cultural ambitions with wider regional priorities
Image credit: Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini

West of England Cultural Plan

The West of England Cultural Compact is an agreement between local and regional government and Arts Council England; to engage with this strategic application of culture, the arts and creativity for the benefit of people in the area.

Download the Plan (PDF)

Projection of hands on a wall

West of England Cultural Plan

The West of England Cultural Compact is an agreement between local and regional government and Arts Council England; to engage with this strategic application of culture, the arts and creativity for the benefit of people in the area.

Download the Plan (PDF, 6.8mb)

Group of people in a theatre

Culture West

An ambitious two-year £3.1 million programme that will open up the creative sector to more diverse talent, ensure more communities take part and create art experiences, and build a resilient sector that will drive economic growth in the West of England.

Discover Culture West

West of England Cultural Compact core membership:

Wider membership is reviewed on an annual basis enabling the West of England Cultural Compact to remain dynamic and responsive to regional priorities and to reflect the anticipated breadth and depth of cross-sector partnership working.

Prof Sue Rigby

Chair, West of England Cultural Compact Chair and Vice-Chair, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership

Stephen Bashford

Director, Business and Skills, West of England Combined Authority

Sarah James

Head of Cultural and Creative Economy, West of England Combined Authority

Lynn Barlow

Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Creative and Cultural Industries Engagement, UWE Bristol and Co-Chair, Bristol One City Culture Board

Josyanne Clarke

Principle Project Officer, Weston Place Making, North Somerset Council

Alison Catlin

Museums and Heritage Officer, South Gloucestershire Council.

Robert Campbell

Head of Heritage Services, Bath and North East Somerset Council

Kathryn Davis

Director of Tourism, Visit West

Elise Hurcombe

Arts Development Manager, Bristol City Council

Fiona Matthews

Fiona Matthews Director, Culture Weston

Sado Jirde

Director, Black SW Network

Dominic Ellison

Chief Executive Officer, WECIL

Continue to

Cultural Plan launch

Metro Mayor launches ‘Cultural Plan’ to put West of England on the map.

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Creative sector growth support

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