£650k fund to 'grow local young talent'

The fund will go towards helping to "break down barriers" in the borough

A scheme to help young people develop a career in the creative industries has been given a £650,000 Arts Council England funding boost.

This Place This Stage is a three year project designed to "break down barriers" and "help grow local talent," Knowsley Council said.

The project will work with schools, youth organisations and community groups to put young people "at the heart of Knowsley's cultural life".

Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods Shelley Powell said only a small fraction of people under the age of 25 currently engaged in the borough's cultural events.

"Clearly there are barriers preventing some young people from getting involved," she said.

"We want to give young creatives opportunity and inspiration and help young people see the creative industries as real career options for them too."

The authority will work in partnership with Adlib, Heart of Glass, Make CIC and Shakespeare North Playhouse to boost youth engagement over the next three years.

Lisa Allen, Chief Executive of Shakespeare North Playhouse said: "Creating cultural opportunities like this across Knowsley really matters, especially in areas where access to the arts hasn't always been a given.

"We'll be working in schools, running theatre projects, and creating opportunities for young people to explore their creativity. And most importantly, they'll be using culture as a vehicle for change in their own area."

Lisa Mitchell, Training and Development Co-ordinator at Adlib said: "We're excited to provide mentorship and real-world insights that will help the next generation of engineers, technicians, and creative professionals flourish right here in Knowsley."

The borough is one 54 of Arts Council England's Priority Places prioritised for support and funding for arts and cultural programmes and activities.

The local authority said the project would build on Knowsley's legacy as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture in 2022.