Surrey seeks to become cultural powerhouse through new 10-year strategy

Surrey Cultural Partnership has published its decade-long strategy to put the county at the forefront of the UK’s cultural landscape.

The new report, titled ‘Surprising Surrey: Our Cultural Strategy & Vision 2024-34’, sets out a framework and action plan with four key priorities:

• Increasing access to culture for all, especially those who face physical, social and economic barriers.
• Recognising the role of creative encounters in strengthening communities and in supporting health and wellbeing programmes.
• Encouraging a collaborative, county-wide ecology and infrastructure, where creative workspaces are integral to sustainable planning and regeneration schemes.
• Nurturing the creative economy in Surrey by attracting new business and investment.

The strategy comes following two years of consultation by the Surrey Cultural Partnership with the county’s cultural organisations, practitioners and stakeholders.

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Professor Caroline Scarles, director of Visit Surrey, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with the Surrey Cultural Partnership to develop this strategy that brings together the wide range of vibrant and inspiring cultural leaders, organisations and communities across the county.

“It’s a strategy that has the collaborative voices of the cultural sector as its very foundation.

“It provides the collective voice and vision for capturing the diversity, drive and ambition of the county and recognises the central role that culture plays not only for the economy but also for inclusion, diversity, health and wellbeing.”

The strategy also received the backing of Professor Catherine McNamara, head of school at the University of Surrey’s Guildford School of Acting (GSA).

She added: “I’m proud that GSA has played a role in shaping this much-needed strategy for our county.

“This is not only about stimulating economic and cultural prosperity for our region, but it’s very much about investing in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“With this new strategy, I’m confident we can all ensure people from all backgrounds from within Surrey and beyond can enjoy the myriad cultural experiences that it has to offer.”

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