Press release

10 January 2016

Cornwall cultural organisation Cornwall 365 secures £150,000 from the Arts Council England

Cultural tourism in Cornwall is set for a further boost thanks to a £150,000 grant awarded to Cornwall 365.

Against fierce competition nationally, Cornwall 365, which brings together the tourism and cultural industries, was awarded the funds by the Arts Council England and Visit England. The grants are being made through Cultural Destinations, an initiative that was developed by the Arts Council as a result of a three year partnership with Visit England.

The aim of the programme is to enable arts and culture organisations, working in partnership with destination organisations and other tourism partners, to increase their reach, engagement and resilience.

In Cornwall the funding will be used to continue and to build upon Cornwall 365's already successful work, developing Cornwall's dynamic artistic and tourism sectors by supporting young people to be cultural ambassadors, alongside building a distinctive events programme, and creating a new travel app for Cornwall.  

Fiona Wotton, Director of Cornwall 365, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to extend the work of Cornwall 365.  Tourism and the creative industries are very significant sectors in the Cornish economy and by working in partnership we are connecting new audiences with our year-round cultural experiences, creating economic value and celebrating our distinctive and fascinating region.” 

Cornwall 365 is a network of leading cultural and tourism organisations and since its launch in 2014, has been helping locals and visitors to experience a deeper sense of the region, enhancing their bond with the place and putting culture at the heart of Cornwall's visitor economies.

This has increased audiences and footfall, added economic value and ensured visitors return to the area. Cornwall 365's free network, The Culture Club regularly shares insights, ideas and information about what's happening in Cornwall as well as providing a digital, marketing toolkit for all to benefit from. This includes research about tourism trends, Cultural Ambassador of the Month and Shining Examples showcasing effective partnerships between different industries. The acquisition of the listings site and magazine, What's on Cornwall in the first round of Cultural Destinations funding is in a new phase as a new website is being developed to ensure everyone can easily find events and activities to enjoy.

Cornwall 365 has also run a series of successful sessions, encouraging people in the tourism sector to become 'cultural ambassadors'. These developed knowledge of what there is to do, see, and experience in Cornwall and helped tourism industry workers to offer rich, bespoke, compelling cultural adventures, enhancing the experience for their customers and encouraging them to return. As well as benefiting from doing the things themselves.

Within these ambassador sessions, Cornwall 365 created a cultural atlas in the form of stunning visual maps in collaboration with local artist Keith Sparrow. Over the past two years, Cornwall 365 has also organised numerous exciting events for ambassadors such as a heritage coasteering adventure with Newquay Activity Centre in 2016, Cultural Canape parties and worked in partnership with heritage and cultural organisations to deliver fun and interesting trips for the tourism sector to experience. Cornwall 365 has also generated significant and valuable press trip coverage through the organisation and co-ordination of press trips.

On Thursday 9th February, at the Old Bakery in Truro, Cornwall 365 will be looking back on its achievements, celebrating the good news and looking forward to the future – in true Cornwall 365 style – if you have been to a Cornwall 365 event before, you'll have an inkling of what to expect! Anyone working in tourism is invited to this event and details can be obtained from info@cornwall365.org.uk

Cornwall 365 has joined two other South West organisations in the successful funding round. Arts Council England has also announced a £147,600 cultural tourism boost for the Isles of Scilly Cornwall and Bristol based Spike Island.

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, said: “This is a fantastic result for Cornwall's cultural, destination and tourism organisations. The investment will help position culture as a significant part of the visitor offering, helping to drive growth of the visitor economy and allowing more people to experience Cornwall's exciting arts and culture.”

The grants are being made through Cultural Destinations, an initiative developed by the Arts Council as a result of a three year partnership with VisitEngland, the national tourist board. The aim of the programme is to enable arts and culture organisations working in partnership with Destination Organisations and other tourism partners, to increase their reach, engagement and resilience. In total, £3,288,600 has been awarded to 16 projects in round two of the programme.

For more information or images contact Sarah Harrington, Excess Energy Communications, on Sarah@excess-energy.co.uk or via 01637 852 130.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people's lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, we plan to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

• VisitEngland is the country's national tourist board. They work in partnership with the industry to develop the visitor experience across England, plan national tourism strategy, grow the value of tourism in England and provide advocacy for the industry and our visitors. Their work is underpinned by robust research and customer insights.

Cornwall 365

Alive with creative events and cultural happenings - Cornwall has something for every day, every weather, everyone…

…And Cornwall 365 celebrates this diversity, distinctiveness and quality of Cornwall's culture and heritage: the way we live; the things we enjoy doing; the performances we watch; the food we eat, the art we create and our ancient landscape. Cornwall 365 is the go-to guide of cultural events and activities happening across Cornwall: From contemporary theatre and modern art through to festivals and events, Cornwall's cultural diary is buzzing all year round and is supported by a vibrant tourism industry.

• Website: www.cornwall365.org.uk
• Phone Number: 01209 312506
• Email: charlie@cornwall365.org.uk