Council chiefs are confident a £1m cultural strategy will result in a much-needed boost to tourism and investment in Derbyshire in the long term.
Derbyshire County Council’s (DCC) Cabinet agreed to transfer funds from its Covid Recovery Fund to its newly formed Cultural Recovery Fund (CuReF) with plans to improve the cultural offer to residents, businesses and visitors.
Of the £1m sum, £415k has been allocated for the Makeit – The Derbyshire Festival of Making, a prgramme of events designed to celebrate the county’s creative and manufacturing heritage.
The festival is being piloted in Autumn next year with the hope that it will become an annual event if it is successful.
Addressing cabinet, DCC Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “£1million will go a long way towards addressing some of the issues within the cultural sector at the moment and making a vibrant place for the future.”
The authority has celebrated success with the Shine a Light programme, a series of art installations at prominent Derbyshire landmarks that will continue into next year.
Councillor Tony King said Shine a Light had attracted the attention of Toyota City, in Japan, leading to communication with the potential overseas partners.
Coun King commented: “In my mind, culture and tourism are very much linked and very important to the county.”
He continued: “It will attract companies to come to Derbyshire and to stay in Derbyshire.”
