Vision & Benefits
The Project will energise and invigorate cultural diversity activity in the arts and heritage sectors, help more people take part in arts and heritage activities, increase and celebrate the diversity of arts and heritage activity on offer in the region, and play a critical role in educating those in the region about the world in which they live.
The emotional, health and personal benefits of cultural activities are increasingly recognised, as are associated employment opportunity, cross-cultural and potential community integration benefits. The Project will provide direct benefits to those participating in arts and heritage activities, with a particular focus on including many who may have limited access and opportunities at present. The Project will develop individuals as well as arts and heritage organisations and thereby contribute to the strengthening of the creative economy in the Essex region.
The ECDP will help stimulate the creativity of mainstream organisations as well as build the capabilities of BME organisations. The Project specifically aims to benefit BME artists and potential artists and organisations, and to engage BME communities more effectively with the arts and heritage sector to encourage access and integration.
The Project will also disseminate the results of its work more widely across the arts and heritage sector and regions. This will be of real value given the opportunities and challenges in the Essex, which will be shared with other areas that do not have a major conurbation with large and concentrated BME populations. Participating organisations will benefit from enhanced understanding and awareness of cultural diversity and support existing activities.
The Project will utilise its understanding of access and participation issues to ensure new audiences are brought into and engaged in arts and heritage activities and assist organisations more widely in the County in developing access.