New culture board hold first meeting in journey to lead cultural development in South & East Lincolnshire

Published on 17 November 2023

The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership has held the first meeting of a new, strategic eight member board, drawing on experience from a variety of sectors to lead cultural change in South & East Lincolnshire and help to create a more vibrant and dynamic arts, cultural and heritage offer for residents and visitors.

The following members make up the board and met for its first quarterly meeting last week to appoint a chair, tour two of the proposed new 'cultural hubs' at The Guildhall in Boston and Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens in Spalding, and discuss future actions:

•         Rob Pitman, Paradigm Arts - appointed as chair for the board

•         Councillor Graham Marsh, Deputy leader of East Lindsey District Council

•         Councillor Sarah Sharpe, portfolio holder for Culture at Boston Borough Council

•         Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, portfolio holder for Conservation and Heritage at South Holland District Council

•         Claire Foster, Boston College

•         Tracy Stringfellow, Heritage Lincolnshire

•         Mark Rice, former Advertising and Marketing expert

•         Sarah Grundy, Lincolnshire County Council

One of the key roles of the board will be to lead on the Partnership's ambitious three-year National Portfolio Organisation programme, a £2million Arts Council England funded programme to support art, culture, heritage and creativity across the whole of the Partnership area, providing meaningful opportunity and programming for residents, developing the sector and helping to build our arts, culture and heritage capacity.

All board members have the responsibility to champion the Boston and East Lindsey Cultural Framework, as well as supporting its future development and expansion into South Holland, which is now under commission.

Chair of the Board, Rob Pitman, said: "The opportunity to meet face to face with everyone and have privileged tours of Boston's Guildhall and Spalding's Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens was not only a great place to begin but an opportunity to reflect. Lincolnshire has such a wealth of culture and its impact on the globe should not be underestimated. Knowing where we've come from, helps guide us into an exciting future and this opportunity is so full of potential. We can't wait to get started!"

More details can be found at https://www.boston.gov.uk/NPO, and those wishing to follow the project as it develops can also receive regular updates by signing up to the newsletter at https://www.boston.gov.uk/NPONewsletter.