We’re joining forces with four New Forest organisations to get to know the people and places of the New Forest district.
We’re passionate about collaborating to create happier and healthier communities. So, when an opportunity arose to lead a consortium working with communities in the New Forest, we jumped at it!
We teamed up with Folio, The Handy Trust, New Forest District Council and New Forest National Park Authority to bid for £1m from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme. In December 2021 we were delighted to hear we’d been successful, giving us the go ahead to launch Culture in Common.
Creative People and Places gives us the opportunity to work together to learn more about what local people want and need.
Penny Woods, Strategic Lead - Programmes, Energise Me
Creative People and Places is a national action learning programme funded by Arts Council England. It focuses on parts of the country where involvement in arts and culture is significantly below the national average. Interestingly, for Energise Me, these are also places where physical activity levels are low.
Consortiums work with communities in these areas to learn about their interests and create arts and cultural offers to transform their local places.
Since inception in 2012, there have been over 7.4 million engagements with the programme. 83% of engagements were from lower and medium engaged groups.
These projects change villages, towns and cities for the better, helping people to lead happier, healthier lives.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England
Culture in Common New Forest is Hampshire’s first Creative People and Places project. It was one of 11 brand new projects announced by Arts Council England in December 2021, securing £1 million. The investment covers the first three years of a 10-year vision to bring the disparate communities of the district together to enjoy Culture in Common.
Our consortium blends arts, community engagement, heritage, physical activity and health expertise. We are all passionate about collaborating and building authentic relationships with New Forest communities.
We are all passionate about collaborating and building authentic relationships with New Forest communities.
Culture in Common consortium
Welcome to arts and culture chosen by you!
Culture in Common is a New Forest arts and cultural adventure.
Imagine a programme of events and activities created from your ideas and interests. That’s what we aim to create, with you.
First thing’s first: we want to get to know you! Please take a few minutes to complete the Culture in Common survey.
Join the Culture in Common mailing list to keep in touch.
Helping us tackle inactivity to boost health and happiness
