Cultural Framework

The Cultural Framework will open up investment opportunities and support employment in cultural sectors. The approved Framework will also support the development of cultural provision through town centres, heritage and natural assets as well as festivals and events across East Lindsey and Boston.

The strategy sets out an ambitious vision for culture, connecting heritage and the visitor economy while recognising the health and wellbeing benefits culture brings to people's lives.

Arts Council England awarded funding to both East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council to support the development of cultural strategies. Both Boston and East Lindsey have been designated Arts Council Priority Places - areas where there is significant potential but have faced barriers in the past for cultural renewal.

The work is also to be extended into South Holland to cover the whole of the South and East Lincolnshire Partnership area.

The Framework has already provided S&ELCP an opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest to seek National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status and associated funding from Arts Council England.

The Partnership's NPO would focus on three centres - Boston Guildhall (Boston Borough Council), Asycoughfee Hall (South Holland District Council) and the Colonnade at Sutton on Sea (East Lindsey District Council). Funding would support a programme of art and culture across the Partnership, as well as enabling an education, research and skills programme to be developed.

Councillor Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at East Lindsey District Council said: "The Cultural Framework is informed by extensive collaboration and engagement with communities across Boston and East Lindsey. Multiple workshops, interviews and a survey enabled the co-creation of a shared vision and agenda for culture-led renewal.

"This framework puts culture, events and the benefits they bring to people every day right to the fore. With an already thriving culture sector in East Lindsey, this strategy will help develop tourism and the visitor economy even more.

"This framework will create more opportunities and strengthen our access to funding for years to come."

Councillor Richard Austin BEM, Portfolio Holder for Heritage at Boston Borough Council said: "The Cultural Framework is important to have in place as we aim to launch ambitions plans for Boston 2030 on an international scale.

"Boston is a town built around its history, culture and heritage and to be able to have a framework which puts all those aspects at the heart of the visitor economy, is a positive step forward to help tourism grow."

An event to formally launch the framework will be held in the autumn.