Arts and culture

Mid Suffolk and Babergh’s Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy 2023 – 2028

This five-year plan sets out our ambition to shape the future growth and resilience of the Cultural, Heritage and Visitor Economy sectors across the districts. It outlines our priorities in partnership with cultural organisations, businesses, individuals, education and health partners. 

Read the 2023-2028 Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy 

Read Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy Action Plan

 

How do we support arts and culture across the district?

  • We ensure villages and towns thrive through a collaborative approach. The creation of culture groups within our main market towns has made culture more accessible to all
  • Cultural Placemaking - the combination of assets of heritage, culture, people, buildings and landscape, to create places for people to fall in love with
  • We work with partners to build higher levels of cultural participation, and manage strategic programmes and projects
  • We support residents to start well, live well and age well, using culture to improve health and wellbeing
  • We develop innovative partnerships between cultural providers and educational institutions, which improve cultural education provision for children and young people
  • We work with arts and cultural partners and organisations to support activity that uses materials and resources responsibly reflecting a shared commitment to addressing issues of climate change. We encourage partners to reduce waste, use transport responsibly and embed climate awareness education into their work. 
  • We offer fundraising and project advice and guidance
  • We offer capital and revenue grants

Which arts and heritage organisations and services do we currently invest in?

  • DanceEast the national dance development agency
  • John Peel Centre for Creative Arts a multi-purpose arts venue in Stowmarket
  • The Food Museum the UK’s Food Museum with a mission to connect people with where our food comes from and the impact of our choices: past, present and future.
  • Wingfield Barns a community venue, studio and gallery complex in the heart of Suffolk
  • Orchestras Live the national orchestral development charity
  • Screen Suffolk the official film office for Suffolk. Offers support from the initial enquiry stage, through to crew sourcing and permitting
  • Suffolk Artlink, a participatory arts charity that brings creativity into the heart of communities in Suffolk
  • Association of Suffolk Local Museums,  an independent charity and membership body for museums throughout Suffolk
  • Stowmarket Arts CIC, is a community-focused organisation dedicated to providing accessible, inclusive, and affordable creative arts opportunities for local residents and artists alike
  • East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, is a registered charity based in Suffolk, which aims to promote awareness of and participation in the folk music traditions of East Anglia

To learn more email the tourism and culture team or phone 01449 724638 (Monday – Thursday)

Suffolk Culture Network

The Suffolk Culture Network is for people delivering communications, marketing and audience development in the cultural sector.

To find out more or join the Suffolk Culture Network 

Suffolk Cultural and Creative newsletter

The Suffolk Cultural and Creative newsletter is a fortnightly publication which aims to improve the sharing of information between:

  • arts practitioners
  • arts organisations
  • non-arts organisations
  • local government
  • regional and national bodies across Suffolk

Subscribe to the Suffolk Cultural and Creative newsletter

Suffolk and Norfolk Culture Board's Manifesto 'Culture Drives Impact'

The manifesto, published by the Norfolk and Suffolk Culture Board, sets out how they intend to drive impact.

Read the 'Culture Drives Impact' manifesto