Not only is the East Midlands acclaimed for its film-making, award-winning theatre, international-class sports facilities and high-achieving Olympic athletes it’s also looking to become ‘the place of choice’ for people to work, create, see and take part in culture.

And now the region’s champion for culture, Culture East Midlands (CEM), is looking for views on how it can make this happen.

Along with its partners, which range from the Big Lottery Fund and English Heritage to Sport England East Midlands and East Midlands Development Agency, it has put together a number of proposals for consultation. The final chance to debate these proposals will be at Chesterfield Library on 25th January at 5.30pm. Previous events have been held in Northampton, Leicester and Sleaford.

Culture embraces everything from film, museums, sport and libraries to the performing arts, heritage, media and tourism.

Sukhy Johal, CEM’s chief executive said: “The events will be a prime opportunity for us to get shared ownership of the proposals and to agree targeting of what’s really important to drive culture forward over the next five years.”

The outcome of each of these events will be used to update Time for Culture, the current Regional Cultural Strategy, which was first produced in 2001 and laid the foundations for a stronger cultural sector in the region.

“The cultural sector is increasingly seeing the importance and strength of working together and the new Strategy will also add value to individual sector strategies. It will also help others with an interest in the region’s culture, to understand the big priorities,” he added.

Stakeholders, organisations, businesses and individuals will have the chance to have their say about the proposed priorities for action which include:

• Making the most of our cultural opportunities - from our contribution to the 2012 Olympics to helping translate creativity into wealth
• Addressing disparities across the region - through developing cultural programmes in deprived areas and working together to eradicate cultural ‘cold spots’
• Securing the future viability of culture - by helping local authorities embed it in their long-term plans and improving the practices of regional networks
• Getting culture out into the mainstream - by raising its profile and working jointly with others sectors such as the education, business and health.

The consultation period officially ends on 10 February 2006 and it’s expected that the new Strategy will be launched in April.

Since it was set up in 1999, some of CEM’s key achievements, apart from producing the Strategy, include producing a DVD on culture in the region to attract business investment; commissioning research into the role of culture in health and working with young people; and producing guidance to ensure that culture is an integral part of plans for Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Zone.

If you would like to talk to CEM about the Strategy or find out more about getting involved in the consultation, then please call 0115 988 8449 or email enquiries@culture-em.org.uk.

Notes to editors

1.A copy of the consultation document can be downloaded at http://www.culture-em.org.uk/strategy/consultation.asp

2.Culture East Midlands was set up by the Government in 1999 as one of eight Regional Cultural Consortia and is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Its role is to promote the value and importance of culture in the region by bringing together the organisations which have a role in the region’s cultural life.

3.CEM covers the six East Midlands counties of Derbyshire Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

4.The creative and cultural industry in the region employs some 212,000 people, or one in 10 jobs. In 2002, its value was £4bn of the East Midlands’ economy.