£1m granted for three-year cultural transformation programme

Ashfield District Council and the Ashfield Arts Partnership are launching Ashfield Creates, a three-year program funded with £1m from Arts Council England.

The initiative aims to boost culture and creativity in Ashfield.

Arts Council England is now collaborating closely with local leaders and cultural groups to stimulate growth through arts.

Ashfield Creates will activate towns like Hucknall, Kirkby, and Sutton with creative activities and events to engage over 160,000 people, including participants, volunteers, and artists.

Led by locals and engagement producers, the program will feature regular activities in dance, art, music, and craft. It includes weekly events, a yearly arts festival, and collaborations with national and international artists.

Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council said: “I am thrilled that the incredibly strong partnership working we have in Ashfield has led to us securing this investment. It’s fantastic that the Arts Council is entrusting us with such a large grant to achieve truly transformational change. Investment into the arts is something that I am very passionate about and I believe it will set us on our way to everyone being able to experience arts on their doorstep.”

Peter Knott, Midlands Area director at Arts Council England said: “We’re delighted to invest £1 million into Ashfield through our Place Partnership programme, with funding from the National Lottery.

“We’ve been working closely with local leaders and cultural organisations to improve investment and access to culture and creativity in the district. We know the positive impact that cultural investment has on places, such as regeneration, growth, employment and happiness, so we’re delighted that local people will have more opportunities to experience, connect and take part in creative and cultural activities where they live.”