Writing the next chapter in Bury’s cultural story

Final preparations are taking place to develop a new Cultural Strategy for the borough – and everyone will be invited to join in.

Building on Bury’s year as the first Greater Manchester Town of Culture, this is an exciting opportunity to write the next chapter in Bury’s cultural story.

Central to the strategy is the need for strong partnership and engagement activity to develop and deliver the borough’s cultural vision together. It will also explore how Town of Culture activity can be used as means for conversations with wider communities to generate future cultural initiatives.

The strategy will demonstrate the role culture will play in the delivery of the Bury 2030 Let’s Do It strategy, including:

• Local neighbourhoods including the role of cultural organisations as anchors within communities and the role of culture in promoting and enhancing wellbeing
• • The role of cultural enterprises in place making, boosting our town centres as a tool in regeneration
• • Coming together to amplify the voice of all within our neighbourhoods and celebrate our diverse communities
• • Building on strengths, exploring culture as a way to raise aspiration and confidence through creativity for all, in addition to developing and retaining talent locally.

The strategy will link with national cultural policy and practice, such as the Arts Council’s “Let’s Create” framework and the Greater Manchester Cultural Recovery Plan. Earlier this month, Bury joined the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as key speakers at the Local Government Association Cultural Conference to outline the importance and value of culture within the region and in particular our borough.

Councillor Jane Black, cabinet member for the cultural economy, said: “Culture has been a key strand within the borough’s response during the pandemic and is at the heart of the Let’s Do It! strategy. A new cultural strategy will provide a framework to build on this, and plans that will be innovative and engaging; inclusive of Bury’s cultures, with opportunities for everyone across our communities to get involved.”

Details of how to get involved will be published shortly on the Town of Culture’s social media pages, where you can also keep up to date with the latest developments on our exciting micro-commission projects and upcoming features including a digital celebration of Happy! in May.

Visit, follow and share @BuryCulture on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

ENDS

Press release issued: 26 March 2021.