Arts grant will help keep talent in seaside resort

Kerry Vasiliou said it was important to keep creative talent in Blackpool

Cultural organisations in Blackpool are hoping a grant of £750,000 will encourage and support aspiring movers and shakers in the creative industry, and help turn the town into the UK's "coastal capital of creativity".

The grant, from Arts Council England's Place Partnership Fund, will go towards attracting, training and retaining homegrown artists and "cultural leaders" in the seaside town.

Kerry Vasiliou, one of the driving forces behind Showtown, will lead the Creative Blackpool Development Group in its mission to reshape the town's cultural landscape.

"I am looking forward to reintroducing Blackpool through a cultural lens, unlocking fresh tourism and enhancing civic pride," she said.

'Transformative programme'

Born and raised in Blackpool, Ms Vasiliou has played a pivotal role in transforming the award-winning museum Showtown from concept to reality, and has also worked at the Grundy Art Gallery.

As Partnership Director of Creative Blackpool, she said she was "incredibly proud" to be leading what she called a "transformative programme" of cultural opportunities within the town.

She said she was determined to "keep talent in Blackpool", and hoped the grant would give local artists the opportunity to try out new ideas - while also reaching out to "artists and creatives working in places like Revoe and Claremont, where there is huge regeneration" as part of an iniative to create "neighbourhood residencies".

She added: "Culture is not a luxury - it is essential to living happier and healthier lives and can help shape Blackpool's future."

The Creative Blackpool Development Group is made up of representatives from local cultural organisations including the Grand Theatre, TramShed, Winter Gardens and Blackpool and the Fylde College, as well as independent artists.

Its chair, Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, said he hoped the investment by Arts Council England would eventually see Blackpool compared to regional success stories such as Margate, in Kent, where investment in culture has led to major regeneration in the town and a huge boost in homegrown tourism.

"It's great to see so many organisations and artists working together," said Rebecca Ball, of Arts Council England. "I look forward to seeing how this builds on the town's current cultural activity."