Ocean from the seafront

East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Arts & Culture East Devon (ACED) are commissioning a new culture strategy for the district.

It is an exciting time for culture in East Devon. Underpinned by a progressive, forward-thinking Council, arts and culture are spearheading the district’s economic and social recovery while leading change in response to climate emergency and growing inequality.

EDDC and ACED now wish to consolidate significant recent achievements and maximise culture’s contribution to East Devon’s future wellbeing, wealth and sustainability, by creating a collaborative 10-year strategy across multiple public, community, statutory and non-statutory partners.

The culture strategy will play a central role in the three council priorities for 2021-23:
1. Better homes and communities for all
2. Greener East Devon
3. A resilient economy

The aim of East Devon’s cultural strategy will be to:
• Build and secure place-based strategic partnerships and local community ownership around a shared 10 year vision for East Devon and the surrounding areas.
• Reflect the needs of people who live and work in the district
• Provide a compelling and robust framework to attract future investment from public, private, community and social enterprise sectors, including national investment sources such as, but not limited to Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Arts Council England and the National Lottery.
• Guide a sustainable, inclusive development of the area that is fit to meet global challenges of climate and ecological breakdown and growing inequalities.

The strategy process will be consultative to build trust and partnerships as well as inclusively engage East Devon communities. It will plot the future value of culture in delivering place-based strategies and articulate a distinctive and inspiring vision for arts and culture in East Devon for the next 5-10 years.

The Arts & Culture East Devon (ACED) Executive Group will act as the steering group for the cultural strategy development.

Councillor Nick Hookway, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Tourism, Sport, Leisure and Culture said,

Arts and Culture are invaluable for our society. The benefits are numerous; supporting health and wellbeing, community cohesion, stimulating regeneration, cultural tourism and innovation.

Cultural activity in East Devon today is diverse and far reaching. It has been shaped by our vibrant cultural heritage, outstanding landscapes and incredible biodiversity. There is an abundance of talented artists, informed cultural groups, and ambitious festivals and organisations active in the district.

East Devon District Council is committed to Culture and supporting sector growth for the benefit of communities and visitors.. We would like to hear from consultants who understand our ambition and are excited to listen to our communities whose input will help shape a dynamic, impactful and inspirational cultural vision for East Devon."

Deadline for receipt of tenders: 18.01.22, 12.00

Read the full brief

For more details, contact: Charlie Plowden, Service Lead – Countryside & Leisure / cplowden@eastdevon.gov.uk