Heritage and culture: improving places for people, improving quality of life
Annual Review of the Cultural and Creative Programme of CDF
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) investment in Paignton is enabling the restoration and transformation of the historic Picture House, and a series of supporting programmes. You can read more about how the capital works are shaping our places here, and below.
An exciting element of Torbay’s CDF work is the cultural and creative programme. The coordinating partners for this are Filament Works CIC and over the last year they have initiated and enabled a series of opportunities for people. This includes supporting collaborative cultural leadership, and actions that help improve attractiveness of place, and unlock local productivity - all DCMS CDF aims.
Filament have produced an Annual Review of the programme which you can access by clicking the button below.
Separately, independent evaluation of CDF is taking place - locally (by Cat Radford and Mary Schwarz) and nationally (by Steer Economic Development). The evaluation will include analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. The findings will be published periodically here as the works progress.
More details about the Cultural Development Fund programme centred in and around Paignton
Torbay Council, the Paignton Picture House Trust, the board of Torbay Culture, the Agatha Christie Festival and South Devon College are working in partnership to progress our shared ambitions to see the landmark Picture House reopen, as part of improvements in the heart of Paignton.
Torbay Council and Torbay Culture on behalf of the consortium made an application to the government’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF) managed by Arts Council England securing almost £3m. This is primarily capital investment, with support for associated creative and skills programmes.
CDF investment goes alongside some of Torbay Council’s Future High Streets Fund allocation from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities; and grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Architectural Heritage Fund, and Historic England - support the conservation, construction and fit-out works.
Opened in 1914, the grade II* listed Picture House is one of Europe’s oldest purpose-built cinemas. Currently on the national Heritage At Risk Register, it is recognised as one of the priorities in the Torbay Heritage Strategy. The Picture House is also a central part of the Future High Streets Fund plans for Paignton, which will also see Torbay Road and Station Square improved.
CDF funding supporting skills and training opportunities through a digital engagement programme, a locally designed creative programme, and the evaluation of the work we are doing, so we have evidence to support further investment in Torbay’s heritage and culture.
The CDF digital engagement programme is being coordinated by South Devon College working with partners, including Sound Communities.
Students at the college are working on digital stories about Torbay’s heritage, which will create further chapters in our Torbay Story.
The emphasis of the creative programme is to grow sustainable cultural opportunities locally, building connections between local heritage, culture, and Paignton’s communities. The programme includes opportunities for skills development and internships, as well as new opportunities for locally based producers.
“I have been impressed by the collaborative, community-led approach to restoring and reopening the historic Paignton Picture House, with support of the Cultural Development Fund. The project is a shining example of improving coastal towns through culture and heritage to the benefit of local people, businesses and visitors.” - Charlie Courtenay, the Earl of Devon
Torbay’s Cultural Development - Paignton Picture House is a collaboration between Torbay Council, Paignton Picture House Trust, Torbay Culture, South Devon College and the Agatha Christie Festival Limited. It is supported by the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) fund, administered by Arts Council England
Lead image: Moving Portraits, Rob Mennear, Misfits tattoo parlour (Credit: Emily Appleton)
