What benefit can the Art's bring to Colchester people?

Encouraging people to get creative
By running arts projects in the borough we aim to bring the community together and encourage people to try activities they may not have ever experienced. By encouraging all areas of the community to be involved or participate in our arts projects, people have the opportunity to develop new skills, experiences and express their views in a creative way.

Making them proud to be in Colchester
What is a place without identity? Arts Development aims to build on the borough’s already impressive arts base to encourage more activity and investment in the arts. This will thereby improve and enhance the environment and develop communities for the future. The new and exciting contemporary visual art gallery firstsite:newsite, planned to be built in the St. Botolphs area, is an example of this.

Economic benefits
Think about it this way, what would Colchester be like without an art gallery, arts centre or a theatre? Cultural activity, including the arts, brings people to places. Just think of the influx of people at the Tate Modern in its first year. Well, the arts are just as important to the economy of an area as transport links or shopping centres. The arts can attract tourists and visitors who may for example attend the theatre then go to a restaurant or a bar after a show, therefore helping to build a healthy local economy.

Some of the work we do in Arts Development is about keeping a track on how the arts are contributing to Colchester’s economy.