Kirklees Together

At the end of 2022, our Dewsbury Creative Town Arts Programme secured a grant of nearly £30k from Arts Council England to take art even further within the town.

What is the Dewsbury Creative Town Arts Programme?

The Dewsbury Creative Town Arts Programme is part of our Blueprint plans to breathe new life into the town centre.  It already includes a range of permanent and temporary public art installations around Dewsbury.

Through this £200k initiative, we’re working with arts organisation Beam to provide an array of opportunities for people to engage with art, and for local entrepreneurs to engage in the commissioning process – benefitting local residents, businesses and community groups all at once.  The programme also creates a unique platform for both emerging and established artists to be creative out and about, and have their work in the public eye as we celebrate Dewsbury.

What will the money be used for?

The Arts Council funding, totalling £29,750, is a fantastic addition to the £200k already committed to the Dewsbury Creative Town Arts Programme by Kirklees Council.

This new funding will go towards a number of collaborative projects aimed at providing opportunities for artists early in their career, and towards helping Dewsbury locals explore the story of the town’s changing landscape.

The project will include a mixture of public art, craft, film and digital media, as well as looking to engage people through conversation and opportunities to explore Dewsbury and the surrounding area.

How will this be delivered?

Since funding was awarded in December, work has already begun to deliver the project.  We’re working with key local partners, including the Pioneer Higher Skills Centre at Kirklees College and the Kirklees Community Cohesion Team.  We’ll also continue to prioritise working with lots of local artists.

What’s confirmed so far?

Manasamitra, a Dewsbury-based organisation led by artists, has been commissioned to develop a series of podcasts and guided walks for people to explore the past, present and future of the town.

Dewsbury-born Zachary Eastwood-Bloom has also been commissioned to create designs for a series of artworks which will be displayed in Dewsbury town park.  Zachary’s process involves combining handmade techniques with the use of digital technology.  Through this project, he will also be mentoring another Kirklees-based artist, Karen Stansfield, and looking to engage more young people and share his process through workshops.

Councillor Eric Firth, Cabinet Member for Transport and ward councillor for Dewsbury East, says:

“It’s fantastic news that the council is boosting its investment in culture once again – especially at a time of major economic and mental health challenges.  We’re unlocking the huge potential of the arts to enrich lives, communities and local businesses.  We want to ensure that residents from all backgrounds can enjoy the rich and diverse cultural highlights Dewsbury has to offer, and can participate in new cultural projects in their local communities.

“Bringing in creatives from Dewsbury is the perfect way to support the Dewsbury Creative Arts Programme, and we hugely value this opportunity to work with Manasamitra and Zachary Eastwood-Bloom.”

Kate Watson, Programme Manager for Dewsbury Creative Town, says:

“We’re delighted to have been awarded funding from the Arts Council, and this additional resource will enable us to deliver some exciting projects as part of the overall programme.

“The funding will also create a legacy for the programme in years to come, by creating vital opportunities for early career artists, inspiring the next generation of creatives, and empowering residents to get involved in the future of the town.”