Memorandum submitted by Arts Council England,
East
Arts Council East works with EEDA to deliver
a shared prospectus of activities called Creative Collaborations.
The prospectus comprises a portfolio of strategic projects and
activities that are key to the delivery of our corporate priorities
and the Regional Economic Strategy, and includes developing the
creative economy and piloting new approaches to culture-led regeneration.
As well as delivering specific artistic, social
and economic outputs, our joint approach has enabled us to develop
innovative and distinctive approaches that differentiate the East
of England in delivering economic growth, the sustainable communities
plan and artistic development.
As the only Arts Council/RDA co-investment strategy
in the country, to date this nationally unique alliance has achieved
considerable success resulting in a high impact portfolio worth
in excess of £125 million. Collectively our investments of
£26 million Arts Council East and £19 million EEDA have
levered in excess of £80 million from public and private
resources.
Our investment decisions are based on the strong
correlation between Arts Council East's priority places and the
Regional Economic Strategy's Engines of Growth and in partnership
we have identified a number of priority places from amongst the
region's growth areas where our strategic interventions will add
further value. To date our joint interventions include:
— the development of Europe's leading
campus for Classical Music at Aldeburgh;
— the creation of the UK Centre for
Carnival Arts in Luton and associated training programmes;
— development of FirstSite:NewSite
in Colchester, an international quality visual arts facility;
— land assembly and project development
for the Production Campus in Thurrock, anchored by the Royal Opera
House and the proposed site of the National Skills Academy for
Creative Production;
— the development of a national Dance
House as the signature cultural facility at the heart of the £1
billion regeneration of the Ipswich Waterfront;
— and the location of METAL to a new
facility in Southend-on-Sea to lead cultural regeneration activities
in Thames Gateway South Essex and London 2012 games.
This success would not have been possible without
effective engagement from EEDA, who have brought specialist economic
development and regeneration expertise to the table, as well as
relationships and influence with other key stakeholders and parties.
In addition, we are work together to promote
and encourage inward investment and build international partnerships.
An example of this is promotion of our innovative shared prospectus
at the 2006 Global Economic Forum held in San Jose, California.
Going forwards, we will focus on the development
of creative economy hubs, skills development and increasing the
profile and influence of the region. We will continue to work
closely with EEDA to achieve strategic added value and to deliver
against Government priorities and policies including Creative
Britain.
On this basis, we are confident of EEDA's leadership
ability to take on an expanded remit as a result of the sub-national
review, including management of EU funding and the development
of a single regional strategy, which will ensure that spatial
and economic development is completely aligned.
19 September 2008
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