North Yorkshire Council Executive Approves Ambitious New Cultural Strategy

A new cultural strategy for North Yorkshire has been backed by council leaders aiming to boost the county’s culture and heritage.

The strategy aims To create a "distinctive region where culture and heritage is at the heart of improving people’s lives"

Councillor Simon Myers is North Yorkshire Council's executive member for Culture and the Arts, he says creation of the new strategy has involved many organisations.

The "North Yorkshire Cultural Strategy", was officially endorsed at a meeting of the council's executive committee this week.

The strategy outlines a bold vision:

"To create a distinctive region where accessible and inclusive culture and heritage is at the heart of improving people’s lives".

It champions "cultural entitlement", ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or location, can participate in and be inspired by a diverse range of cultural activities.

The vision is underpinned by a broad definition of culture, encompassing everything from music and theatre to heritage, gardening, and even "fun". The strategy emphasizes that culture is not confined to traditional venues but can be experienced in everyday spaces like parks, community centres, and homes.

North Yorkshire has a wide ranging and diverse cultural offer - from world class museums, cutting-edge exhibitions, libraries and innovative theatre to festivals, events and opportunities to engage in everyday creativity from rural to urban communities.

The strategy sets out six key strategic priorities:

• Using culture and creativity to create attractive and engaging places to live, work, and visit.
• Ensuring places, spaces, and activities are inclusive and accessible to all.
• Enabling a thriving cultural workforce, including employees, volunteers, and freelancers.
• Maximising the value and sustainability of the region’s cultural assets and promoting its cultural identity.
• Ensuring cultural engagement contributes to improved health and well-being.
• Ensuring cultural activity contributes to the delivery of broader strategic priorities, including economic growth, health, education, and quality of life.

The strategy has been built on a foundation of collaboration. Councillor Myers says that extensive consultation took place throughout the summer of 2024, involving local residents, cultural sector representatives, community groups, and other council services.

A key initiative is the creation of a digital "Creative Hub" to serve as the central point of access for the North Yorkshire Cultural Consortium. This platform will provide:

• A shared repository of resources, including information, guidance, data, and best practices.
• Access to skills development, partnerships, funding opportunities, and marketing support.

The strategy acknowledges the importance of measuring success and includes provisions for gathering quantitative and qualitative evidence to track progress. It also recognizes the need for adaptability in a constantly evolving cultural landscape. The strategy is intentionally "un-dated," and an annual symposium will be held to review achievements, discuss developments, and set priorities for the coming year.

Cultural organisations and the creative industries significantly contribute to the region’s local economy, both directly through business activities, and indirectly through a wider impact on the domestic and visitor economy. The sector is growing at a rate over three times that of the national average, employing 1.8 million people across the UK, and contributing £125 billion to the economy.

Creative and cultural engagement is also essential for the health of individuals and has powerful potential in both preventative healthcare and treatment of health conditions. And it cements the wellbeing of communities – providing joy, growth, inspiration and a sense of belonging.

In the past year, North Yorkshire Council has been awarded an Arts Council England grant of £1.2 million as part of a national programme to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people. Craven Museum at Skipton Town Hall was awarded £15,000 as one of five finalists for the National Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024, the largest museum prize in the world.

The coast has also been the focus of several cultural festivals, including a revitalised Scarborough Fair which has seen events such as Scarborough Lights, Scarborough Art and Scarborough Fringe staged.