Be part of the Solent creative future: Free online event to help shape the region’s cultural plan

Book a free session to help shape the future of the arts scene and cultural economy in an around Portsmouth.
Ad Feature by Solent Partners
Published 12th Feb 2024, 07:00 BST
Be part of the Solent's creative future: Sign up for a free event to help shape the region’s cultural plan. Supplied imageBe part of the Solent's creative future: Sign up for a free event to help shape the region’s cultural plan. Supplied image
Be part of the Solent's creative future: Sign up for a free event to help shape the region’s cultural plan. Supplied image

Solent Partners has organised the next round of consultation events to inform the Solent Cultural Plan, and wants to hear from people who live and work in the area.

The virtual events take place on February 20, with morning, afternoon and evening sessions aiming to give total flexibility to allow as many people from the creative and cultural sectors as possible to join in.

By booking your space via Eventbrite you can hear the latest plans and feedback from phase one, as well as offering your own insights.

Local creatives urged to have say in Solent’s cultural plan. Supplied imageLocal creatives urged to have say in Solent’s cultural plan. Supplied image
Local creatives urged to have say in Solent’s cultural plan. Supplied image

What is the Solent Cultural Plan?

The Solent is a Creative Industries (CI) growth cluster, with 40,000 local jobs and 4,500 businesses generating £1.5bn GVA. Around 65 per cent of the firms involved are SMEs, often with an annual turnover of under £20,000. The sector is growing quickly, and key areas include digital marketing, software development, web design, games, interactive entertainment, sound design and film.

The Solent Cultural Plan is being devised alongside Arts Council England and a plethora of organisations, networks and people in the region, aims to build a visible and integrated cultural presence.

Creative industries and the cultural sectors play a massive part in the local economy, so bringing together a well thought out and strong presence for the future will help make this a place people want to live, work and visit.

CT Consults will lead the conversation around the original waive of debate, and you don’t have to have attended phase one in December to join in the phase two consultation. Whatever your views, your insights will help planners build an accurate picture of the region’s challenges and opportunities.

Workshop feedback

The first phase of the consultation proved very useful, and previous attendees praised the event.

Dr Roy Hanney from Solent University: “Great workshop, it really felt like we were starting something, so really glad I could take part.”

Wendy Wyatt, from World Cities Culture Forum: “Thank you so much for an interesting session. I welcome the opportunity to be a part of future discussions. As a resident in the Solent area, I understand the breadth and depth of cultural and creative talent in the area – it’s immense! I hope the Cultural Plan helps to give the sector the recognition and support it deserves.”

How to take part

If you want to be part of the conversation and help shape the future, you can sign up for one of the sessions on February 20 here.

Find your tribe

If you work in one of the creative industries in the region then Create Solent invites you to join their collective. Brainstorm ideas, find potential business partners or inspiration and be part of the thriving eco-system in this incredibly dynamic and diverse industry sector. Find out more and complete your creative profile for free at https://www.createbritain.com/Communitys/Solent