Creative People and Places is about more people choosing, creating and taking part in brilliant art experiences in the places where they live.

West Cumbria has a lower than average level of arts engagement, which makes the area eligible to apply for the Arts Council funding.

If the west Cumbria bid is successful then the project will create a cultural platform which will help transform community engagement and create a lasting arts infrastructure our towns, where currently there are fewer opportunities to get involved with the arts and creative activity

The fund has the potential to bring in more than £1m to develop a programme of arts, heritage, music, creative activities and events over the next four years leaving a legacy for the future.

Allerdale Borough Council – alongside other local authorities and the Cumbria Family Arts Network – is asking for residents’ views and suggestions about the sort of art-based projects they would like to see in the area.

A council spokesperson said: “Those behind the bid want to ensure there is a vibrant cultural offering for people in west Cumbria. But to do that we need to know what and how people want to engage in creative activity whether it's music, visual art, spoken word, or writing, the list goes on.”

Thoughts and suggestions on the kind of projects which should be included are welcomed from everybody in the area, whether they are currently involved in any art schemes or not and can be based from a participant’s or spectator’s point of view. Those involved want to know why and what would inspire people to take part in such schemes.

Suggestions could also be more of the great things that already take place in west Cumbria, or it could be something completely new and different that would excite you and others, and open up a new world of creative possibilities. 

There will also be some more focused group sessions in specific areas so that this project is truly reflective of what the residents of Allerdale and Copeland would like to see delivered. 

To fill in the consultation document go to: https://cumbria.citizenspace.com/allerdale-borough-council/arts-council-creative-people-and-places/. The deadline is January 15.