Striking strategy aims to enhance cultural offering
A bold, five-year plan which puts cultural development at the heart of Perth and Kinross has been unveiled.
Perth and Kinross Council recently published a document setting out its strategic priorities for the sector.
The report, described as an important part of Perth’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid, sets out the council’s vision, which is “to be at the heart of Scotland’s cultural landscape, and celebrate our distinctive cultural past, present and future - for everyone”.
In it, the local authority says what needs to be done, starting by increasing participation in culture by investing in online services, delivering public programmes of national significance, and making culture more accessible to those with support needs.
And it’s hoped that the plans will strengthen the tourism economy with the development of new cultural attractions and support for local artists and makers.
The council is investing £53 million in capital projects and will deliver its cultural strategy jointly with its key commissioning partners Horsecross Arts and Culture Perth and Kinross, as well as working with other organisations across the area.
Council leader Ian Miller said: “Cultural regeneration is at the heart of our plans for Perth and its surrounding area.
“We have a unique offering, combining our heritage and active community arts organisations with exciting and dynamic future developments. “Perth is the place for culture!” Cllr Miller’s comment on cultural regeneration highlights what has been a cornerstone of many of the past and current UK city of culture bids and the European equivalent, with tens of millions of pounds of outside investment emerging, sometimes just simply by being involved in the competition.
The 15-page document highlights key areas which council and culture bosses have identified for improvement and development, ranging from grass roots support to ensuring that people from a range of backgrounds are included, whether that is looked after children in care, or people whose daily lives are affected by issues which could deter them from participating.
PKC says it wants to tap into and boost the cultural tourist market, where nearly a third of audiences for Horsecross Arts are from outside Perth and Kinross, and Pitlochry Festival Theatre has a reputation beyond the Big County.
PFT has its own 2021 vision to revamp the iconic site, while Perth Theatre’s £16m transformation is well under way.
The vision includes helping to support business start-ups and community-based organisations to help get the financial backing they need.
The strategic priorities can be found on the website www.pkc.gov.uk/18610