Salford City Council, the University of Salford and Arts Council England today confirmed a unique three -way partnership agreement.
This memorandum of understanding will allow the organisations to work together to achieve ambitious shared objectives for arts, culture and heritage in a growing, dynamic City.
It is intended that all kinds of cultural activities and events, from theatre and dance to animation, digital and street arts, will reflect the fast-changing landscape and make up of Salford.
This will provide many more exciting opportunities for local communities to get involved in arts and culture at many different levels.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We have got a rich tradition of authors and artists in Salford from Shelagh Delaney to Ewan MacColl. Salford and Manchester were at the heart of the industrial revolution and we are always ready to reinvent ourselves.
“Our city is changing rapidly with new homes, businesses and landmark buildings being built every day. It’s building on our proud heritage to create new communities, such as The Quays, MediaCityUK and The Lowry. We understand the powerful contribution that the arts have in our everyday identity and sense of well being.
“We also have a wealth of cultural events so this new partnership will build on all of that to blend old and new and promote Salford as a global cultural city and destination.”
Professor Allan Walker, Dean of the University of Salford’s School of Arts and Media, said: “These are exciting times, both for the University as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary and for the rapidly-growing city of Salford, with which we have always been fortunate enough to have a very close relationship.
“This unique agreement will enable us to build on that relationship by engaging more closely with the huge pool of creative talent that exists here in Salford and playing a key role in shaping the cultural life of the city. We look forward to the exciting opportunities that will be realised as our staff, students and graduates work with young people from across Salford on projects which will put the city on the global creative map.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, who was at The Lowry in Salford to sign the memorandum, said: “Salford is an exciting, international, future-focused city so it is only right that its residents are able to enjoy and take part in a broad range of arts and cultural activities of the highest quality.
“I’m delighted to see Salford City Council and the University of Salford joining together with the Arts Council to embed arts and culture in their strategic thinking for the city.”
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “The arts enhance every part of our lives. They bring us joy; help us to make sense of our experiences; and teach us to empathise with others. The vision outlined today by Salford Cultural Partnership and Arts Council England recognises this and supports our belief that there should be no boundaries to the arts – physical or financial.”
