Plans & Papers
Creative Darlington was formed following a consultation process involving around 1,500 people and Darlington Partnership allocated funding support to support the transition of the arts. The purpose of the consultation was to find out what art activities the public are involved in currently, what they enjoy, how they think Darlington’s arts should look in the future, and what would help and encourage them to engage in more art activity. Take pART Key findings gathers the responses.
Creative Darlington Report
An Arts Enquiry Group, an independent group of arts, business, third sector and Darlington Borough Council representatives set up to explore and make recommendations on the future of the arts in Darlington developed the Creative Darlington Report. The report was presented in 2011, and Darlington Partnership allocated budget to support the transition of the arts. Darlington Borough Council supported the development of Creative Darlington, bringing together the Creative Darlington board, allocating a Heritage & Culture fund budget to progress recommendations in the Creative Darlington Report, and employing a Creative Darlington Manager post.
Culture Strategy
Creative Darlington supported the development of Darlington Culture Strategy 2022 – 2026. The vision of the strategy is that:
Darlington will be a place in 2026 and beyond where culture enriches lives, involves people and is central to identity and prosperity.
The five priorities which Darlington Culture Strategy 2022 – 2026 seeks to address are:
- To creatively celebrate Darlington’s contribution to the birth of the modern passenger railway.
- For Darlington to have an accessible, diverse and vibrant culture, encouraging economic growth.
- For Darlington to champion engagement with culture, particularly amongst children and young people.
- For culture to thrive within Darlington Borough and attract visitors to the Town Centre.
- For Darlington to have a thriving theatre offer involving people of all ages.
