Newsroom

15 September 2023

Blackpool awarded £15k youth arts project grant by Historic England

Historic England has announced a £15k grant through its ‘History in the Making’ grants to support youth organisations in the town to work together and create a street art mural that focuses on the heritage and the history of the Talbot and Brunswick (TAB) area of Blackpool.

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The new grant scheme has been launched by Historic England to fund co-produced projects that put young people’s voices at the heart of the creative decision making to increase confidence and connection to their local heritage.

The creative arts project will be a collaboration of Blackpool’s Youth Provision Partnership and local partners.

Blackpool Boys and Girls Club will lead on the delivery of the scheme working with the Youth Provision Partnership, Blackpool Council, Streetlife and with support from Empowerment (a Blackpool based charity committed to supporting local communities).

Young people will be asked what matters to them about the architecture and character of Blackpool and specifically about the Talbot and Brunswick area to inspire them to learn about its local history and ultimately create an imaginative street art mural.

Inspiration will be sparked by walking the local area to celebrate its heritage and history.

Young people will record the project, the making of the art and their personal journeys through methods such as photography, videoing, drawing or cartooning, spoken or written word.

The mural will embrace the positive heritage themes and ideas that the young people generate and allow them to develop their knowledge, interaction and personal skills.

The award will complement the funding received from the Youth Investment Fund to help improve youth facilities in Blackpool. That funding will create a new larger, purpose built youth centre in Talbot and Brunswick which will allow for more youth work activities and opportunities for young people from the local area.

Blackpool Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) Youth Worker Jed Sullivan, said:

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“We are pleased to announce a new partnership and important initiative with Historic England and Blackpool Council to provide young people with opportunities to learn about the history of their area and community. “We believe that it is essential for young people to learn about the history of their area and community, and this partnership will provide them with a great opportunity to do just that."
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Cllr Kath Benson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Aspiration, said:

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“It is wonderful news that we have received this funding from Historic England. I know that our young people and our partners can’t wait to get started on this creative work. “The project will build on previous work and continue to help develop our youth partnerships’ collaborative activities for the benefit of all.”
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Ellen Harrison, Head of Creative Programmes and Campaigns at Historic England, said:

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“These History in the Making grants really show the breadth of what heritage can mean to different communities and the range of creative ways we can form connections to our local heritage through place marking. These projects will improve young people’s wellbeing by encouraging a sense of pride in their local place and enabling them to gain new skills and confidence. “It’s been fantastic to get the input of our Young Advisors to help us ensure we are funding projects that truly allow young people to lead and explore their local history. We can’t wait to see what they discover and how they decide to share and mark their heritage.”
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The arts project will start in spring 2024 and finish at the end of the summer of next year.

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