Newark and Buxton have been awarded a total of £190,000 from Historic England to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on their high streets over the next three years.
They are two of over 60 high streets to receive a share of £6 million going to local arts organisations to create and deliver community-led cultural activities as part of the towns High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) status which was awarded last year.
Newark in Nottinghamshire has been awarded £90,000 for a family play day, creative workshops and events, music and tours to celebrate the unique heritage of Newark’s streets and people.
Buxton in Derbyshire has been awarded £100,000 for a programme of community-led cultural activities centred around Spring Gardens.
With several hundred organisations involved through cultural consortia across over 60 high streets, the grant scheme involves one of the biggest-ever networks of cultural community organisations to come together under the same funding.
This is part of the four-year-long High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme, led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Cultural Programme aims to make our high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time.
Eilis Scott, acting regional director Historic England Midlands, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink in the Midlands. As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”
More information can be accessed here.
