The Next Ten Years of Creativity in Ashfield
At Ashfield Creates, we’ve always believed that our district is bursting with untapped potential, amazing talent, lots of creativity and stories that deserve to be seen and heard. It’s an energy we feel every single day when we meet you at our workshops and community events.
You already know us as the team popping up in your local community centre, parks or a festival, bringing arts and creative activities right to your doorstep. But behind the scenes, we’ve also been working closely with Ashfield District Council to help dream up what the next ten years could look like for our district and towns.
We are incredibly proud to have helped shape the newly released Ashfield Cultural Strategy 2026 – 2035, so, let’s take a look at what this roadmap means for you, for us, and for the future of Ashfield.
Launched by Ashfield District Council, this strategy recognises that “culture” isn’t just found in fancy galleries. It’s in our libraries, public spaces, parks and nature, food, fashion and digital media, events and festivals, local traditions and dialects that bring us together.
This 10-year roadmap is an ambitious plan to put Ashfield on the map as a cultural heartland of the East Midlands by 2035. To get there, the strategy focuses on four major goals:
Breaking down barriers so everyone can take part in cultural activities
Putting Ashfield on the map as a go-to destination for cultural experiences
Boosting wellbeing and pride in our local communities
Building a vibrant economy where local creative businesses can thrive
Our Artistic Director & CEO, Edward Boott, has been working closely with the Ashfield District Council to help write and refine this roadmap, making sure it truly reflects the talent and ambition we see in Ashfield every day.
“We’re really excited to see Ashfield District Council formally adopt its first ever Cultural Strategy and have been able to play such an active role in its development. Whilst Ashfield has so much going creatively across the district, this strategy gives everyone the opportunity to look ahead to where we want to be in 3, 5 and 10 years time and how the work we’re doing today will lead to genuine difference being made in the growth of arts and cultural access in the district.
What’s most exciting is that the document is designed for anyone working in the arts and culture in Ashfield to be part of the change, with a shared responsibility to set our future direction and bring it to life.”
Whether you’re a professional artist, a grassroots group, or someone who is creative and curious, we’re here to help you make things happen and experience the amazing arts and creativity. Ashfield Creates is here to help turn the goals of the strategy into real-world opportunities. We’re working with the Council and a brilliant network of partners to make sure this vision starts with a bang.
Our mission is to provide the space for you to:
- Have a go at something brand new
- Experience more art and culture right where you live
- Learn new skills and test out your own creative ideas
- Embed creativity into the heart of your local community
This strategy is a collective win for Ashfield, and we’re ready to get stuck in and help bring these opportunities to life alongside our partners!
