Cornwall's Creative Manifesto 2021-2025
The start of a new year seems like a good time to read Cornwall’s Creative Manifesto 2021-2025, put together by Cornwall Council’s Culture and Creative Economy team.
Given the current Covid-19 crisis and its damaging impact on creative and cultural industries across Cornwall, it is more important than ever for Cornwall Council and its partners to get behind this manifesto and work towards stimulating and strengthening such an important sector of the Cornish economy.
Back in 2019, I ran a messaging workshop with the Culture and Creative Economy team to establish their key values and put together a strategy document for them to implement going forward. It is brilliant to read through the manifesto, and see how the team has built upon this workshop to define the characteristics of Cornwall’s interlinked and co-dependent rural creative economy whilst highlighting the crucial skills and talents required to see its collective success.
The manifesto outlines four key ambitions for Cornwall Council over the next five years, aimed at fostering the economic, social and environmental resilience of our creative economy and supporting the individuals and organisations that work within it.
Communities - the manifesto aims for Cornwall’s communities to have more opportunities to participate and benefit from culture in the area. As part of this aim, the Cornish language plays an important role in modern Cornish culture and planned place-making activities.
Evolved ways of working - the response to Covid-19 shows how brilliantly the creative sector can adapt, but also how important the mix of ideas and skills is for Cornwall’s renewal and recovery. This aim outlines how important investment is in generating productivity and growth, alongside digital technologies and support networks.
Creative talents - this ambition recognises the significance of nurturing and developing all kinds of creative talent, with a focus on removing barriers for young people and graduates.
Inclusivity and sustainability - the Culture and Creative Economy team aims to increase the number, diversity and inclusion of local residents engaging with culture and creative industries. This aim also sees environmental sustainability as key in bringing about resilient creative businesses and organisations.
Finally, the document outlines the key projects and programmes Cornwall Council are investing in to ensure their aims and objectives are met. I look forward to following the progress of Cornwall’s Creative Manifesto and hope to see Cornwall’s creative industries thrive in the midst of these uncertain times.
“I am pleased to recommend Bethia if you are in need of a reliable workshop leader for your team. She was well organised, friendly and made the whole team feel at ease whilst delivering on objectives. She has provided us with a workshop report, which we are currently taking forward as a team.”