Experience Newquay, which aims to promote year-round tourism in the town, is inviting grant funding bids to deliver cultural events, workshops and activities, as well as create permanent installations across the town centre.

The Cultural Commissions programme has been officially launched following a recent drop-in event at Mount Wise Centre. The project team was joined by over 40 residents representing a mix of local businesses and organisations for a collaborative session, where the group contributed to the shaping of the Cultural Commissions programme, which is now inviting bids. Deadline is 3 December 2023.

Make a bid to Newquay Experience Cultural Commissions

Experience Newquay is looking for applications from a range of cultural organisations, businesses and individuals to creatively interpret the brief.

Submissions are encouraged to explore ways to create a low season visitor offer, that celebrates the local culture and unique identity of the town. From cultural events, workshops, activities to permanent installations, the Experience team want to hear from organisations who want to improve the experience of Newquay’s town centre.

The criteria for the commissions were informed directly from the drop-in session where themes such as “community, history, events, people” were identified, amongst others.

There are two types of grants available:

• Project Grant 1: Cultural Activities, up to £7,500 – this grant is for cultural activities (workshops, exhibitions, events, performances) with an element that has a lasting legacy.
• Project Grant 2: Permanent Installations, up to £30,000 – this grant is for permanent installations in Newquay town centre. This could be murals, sculpture, lighting, creative play, street furniture or any other intervention that celebrates Newquay and improves the local infrastructure. Workshops and/or events for participants to take part are required in the process of conceiving and/or making the installation.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, said:

“Experience Newquay is an exciting opportunity for the town to support in the development of resilient visitor economy for locals and visitors. The cultural commission programme invites local organisations to create a low season offer for the town. Knowing the creative place that Newquay is, we’re excited to see the proposals, which will be reviewed by a panel made of Newquay representatives.”

Experience is a two-year project (due to run until March 2025) that aims to encourage a resilient year-round visitor economy. Putting a spotlight on the low season and embracing Newquay’s unique identity, the project supports Newquay’s visitor economy in four key areas; training and support, curation of a cultural offer, marketing and evaluation of impacts. Designed to attract an even flow of local and national visitors who sustainably engage with the town throughout the year.

The event marks the first face-to-face networking session for the project, and there will be further opportunities ahead. If you are an organisation/business and interested to get involved, sign up

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This project is being funded with a £365,426 investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government though the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is part of Good Growth’s ’Town, Rural and Coastal High Street Development and Skills Programme’. The aim is to support local enterprises through regenerating town centres and neighbourhood shopping areas.

Visit the Good Growth website for more information about how the Shared Prosperity Fund is being delivered and to see how projects are using the funding to make a difference.

Good Growth 

Story posted 02 November 2023