Arts and Cultural Strategy (2025–2028)
Inspiration and Opportunity for All
Foreword
"As Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Economy, I’m proud to introduce Warwick District Council’s Arts and Cultural Strategy - a bold and positive step forward to showcase and celebrate the creativity in our District. The arts have always been close to my heart, both personally and professionally. I believe in their power to engage and inspire, to connect people, to celebrate diversity, to enrich lives, and to shape the identity of a place, creating atmosphere. This strategy sets out our vision for the next three years, demonstrating a clear and confident commitment to supporting the cultural life of our four towns, ensuring they are vibrant and welcoming, supporting the local economy.
At a time when arts funding is under immense pressure across the country, Warwick District Council is choosing a different path. We understand the value of the arts - not just as a luxury, but as a vital force for health and wellbeing, economic resilience, placemaking, education, and community cohesion.Through this strategy, we are making our ambitions visible. We are committing to meaningful action, to investing wisely and creatively, and to working in partnership with our artists, organisations, and residents. We want to see our creative community not just survive but thrive.
I’m excited for the future and confident that this strategy will help us unlock new potential, spark fresh ideas, and ensure Art and Culture remains at the heart of our District."
Councillor Ella Billiald
Warwick District Councillor - Leamington Willes
Portfolio Holder - Arts, Culture & Economy
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Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Defining Arts and Culture
Why Now?
Context: National, Regional & Local
About the Arts Section
Priority 1: Enhancing Cultural Infrastructure
Priority 2: Supporting Economic Growth & Regeneration
Priority 3: Securing Funding & Partnerships
Priority 4: Improving Education & Skills Development
Priority 5: Strengthening Community Engagement & Wellbeing
Monitoring & Evaluation
Action Plan
Thanks & Acknowledgements
End Notes
Executive Summary
Warwick District Council’s Arts & Cultural Strategy 2025–2028 sets out a bold vision to support a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable cultural ecosystem that benefits all who live, work, and visit the district. Building on the foundation of the Warwick District Creative Framework, this strategy defines clear priorities and actions to grow the local creative economy, strengthen community wellbeing, celebrate diversity, enable accessibility, and enhance place identity through the arts.
Our mission is to make arts and culture accessible, visible, and impactful - supporting creativity at every level, from grassroots community projects to professional practice, while aligning with the Council’s wider goals around regeneration, climate action, health, and inclusion.
Over the next three years, we will:
- Deliver an ambitious year-round programme of exhibitions, performances, festivals, and engagement activities at flagship venues - the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, and Leamington Town Hall.
- Invest in our creative infrastructure, from improving physical spaces and digital access to renewing interpretation and upgrading facilities to increase accessibility, hireability, and environmental sustainability.
- Support the local cultural sector through grants, professional development, partnership brokering, and advocacy on local, regional, and national platforms.
- Embed community voice by working in partnership with residents and local arts and cultural organisations to shape programming and ensure cultural experiences reflect the district’s diverse identities.
- Champion creative careers and education, through schools’ workshops, apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, and our flagship Spark symposium.
- Secure and diversify funding, including public, private, and in-kind investment, to deliver long-term cultural impact.
- Embed social value, equality, and climate responsibility into all activity, aligning cultural development with Warwick District Council’s wider strategic priorities.
Introduction
Warwick District Council Arts & Cultural Strategy aims to provide a structured framework for supporting, developing, and promoting arts and culture within Warwick District and ensuring that arts and culture play a central role in shaping vibrant, inclusive, and economically resilient communities.
The strategy is guided by Warwick District Council’s Corporate Strategy, which informs and prioritises the Council's efforts to enhance the district as a great place to live, work, and visit. Additionally, the Warwick District Creative Framework, a five-year plan, aims to accelerate creative sector growth and maximize its impact through partnership and collaboration.
Furthermore, the strategy has been informed by extensive sector consultation, conducted as part of Warwick District Creative Framework Development, via a programme of Arts Development Surgeries, one-to-one meetings, and insight from discussions and debates at Spark, Warwick District Council’s annual creative sector symposium. A first draft of this document was also distributed to key representatives from across our creative community for feedback, which features in this final version.
The strategy focuses on five priority areas:
- Enhancing Cultural Infrastructure
- Supporting Economic Growth and Regeneration
- Securing Funding and Partnerships
- Improving Education and Skills Development
- Strengthening Community Engagement and Wellbeing
Together, these priorities guide a focused and collaborative approach to ensuring that arts and culture continue to be a powerful force for inspiration, opportunity, and transformation across the district.
Defining Arts and Culture
We define ‘arts and culture’ as a broad range of creative, participatory, and heritage-based practices that contribute to individual expression, community identity, and social and economic wellbeing. This includes (but is not limited to) visual arts, performing arts (theatre, dance, music), literature, film, digital and media arts, crafts, heritage, museums, and libraries. Arts and culture may be professional or amateur, traditional or contemporary, and experienced in formal venues, public spaces, or community settings. They play a vital role in education, placemaking, innovation, and inclusion, enriching lives and shaping vibrant, connected communities.
Why Now?
The Arts Section, which leads the delivery of Warwick District Council’s arts and cultural services, operates with a defined set of aims and objectives as outlined in the Portfolio’s Area Service Plan. However, it currently lacks a public-facing document that clearly communicates these priorities. Over the past five years, the department’s work has been guided by the Warwick District Creative Framework, a strategic plan designed to accelerate growth in the creative sector and maximise its impact across the district. While this framework has shaped much of the team's activity, both Officers and the wider community have recognised the need for greater transparency regarding how resources are allocated and deployed.
Context
National
The arts and culture sector is central to the UK’s identity, economy, and community wellbeing. Supported by national bodies like Arts Council England, alongside strategic initiatives such as the Cultural Education Plan and the Creative Industries Sector Vision, the sector plays a key role in education, innovation, and inclusive access.
The past three years have brought significant disruption, with the lingering impact of COVID-19 still affecting audience recovery, financial resilience, and delivery models. At the same time, reduced public investment and increased competition for funding have intensified pressure, requiring adaptive leadership and innovative, sustainable practices.
Despite these challenges, the sector has shown strong resilience. The £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund supported over 5,000 organisations, and the sector contributed £125 billion to the UK economy in 2022. Institutions like the National Theatre and Royal Opera House embraced digital models, expanding reach and accessibility. National strategies have further highlighted the sector’s value, while diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as the BBC’s 50:50 Project, are gaining traction.
Looking ahead, critical issues include sustainable funding, declining arts education, digital inequality, Brexit-related touring barriers, and workforce instability. However, major opportunities remain: the government’s ambition to grow the creative economy by £50 billion and create a million jobs, new technologies enabling immersive experiences, a renewed focus on cultural education, and stronger commitments to inclusion and environmental leadership.
Regional
Across the UK, place-based cultural strategies are gaining traction, with local and regional partnerships central to fostering creative ecosystems, cultural tourism, and inclusive access.
The West Midlands has seen significant cultural progress in recent years. Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2021 attracted over one million attendees and secured £170 million in investment, delivering lasting infrastructure, public space improvements, and community-led projects. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games reinforced this momentum through Festival 2022, which featured over 200 creative commissions and engaged diverse audiences across the region.
Home to one of the UK’s most dynamic creative clusters, especially in digital media, gaming, and screen industries, the region has attracted major investment through initiatives like Create Central and Digbeth Loc. Grassroots programmes such as Creative Black Country, BOM, and Beatfreeks have built a strong reputation for inclusive, participatory practice. Education and skills development efforts, led by Arts Connect, Punch Records, and BOA Stage & Screen Academy, further strengthen the regional pipeline.
Despite these successes, challenges remain. Funding and infrastructure disparities persist, especially in rural and post-industrial areas. Local authority capacity is stretched, and many independent artists lack access to vital support networks. Skills shortages and inadequate transport infrastructure also hinder participation and growth.
Looking ahead, Levelling Up and devolution present major opportunities. Regeneration funding, cross-sector collaboration, and a growing emphasis on community co-creation are helping to build more resilient, inclusive, and culturally rich local ecosystems.
Local
Warwick District is home to a dynamic and varied arts and cultural sector that contributes significantly to the area’s social and economic life. From heritage sites and performance venues to creative festivals and community-led initiatives, the district supports a rich cultural ecosystem across its towns and rural areas.
Key organisations include the Royal Spa Centre, which serves as a flagship venue for performance, film, and community events, and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, a hub for art exhibitions and local heritage. Playbox Theatre continues to nurture young talent with a national reputation, while Motionhouse, based in Leamington Spa, is internationally recognised for its pioneering dance work.
Community access is strengthened by Live & Local, which brings touring performances to rural areas, and by major events such as the Leamington Art in the Park Festival, the largest free Arts Festival in Warwickshire.
Leamington Music and Warwick Folk Festival, a nationally renowned festival with a local heart, offer high quality classical music, literature, and spoken word programming. The district also boasts significant heritage attractions, including the Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick Castle, and Kenilworth Castle, which contribute to cultural tourism and public engagement with local history.
Recent years have seen strong recovery and innovation across the sector. Post-pandemic, organisations have embraced outdoor events, digital delivery, and deeper community engagement. The introduction of the Creative Framework has guided coordinated planning and investment, while strengthened partnerships between local authorities, cultural organisations, and grassroots initiatives have reinforced Warwick District’s profile as a creative and inclusive destination.
However, the sector continues to face challenges. Funding pressures remain acute, particularly for grassroots organisations and freelance practitioners. The sustainability of venues and infrastructure is a concern, especially for smaller or heritage-based facilities. The cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing effects of the pandemic have impacted audience confidence and attendance, particularly for indoor events. Meanwhile, smaller organisations often struggle with access to networks and long-term planning support.
Despite these challenges, there are significant opportunities ahead. Place-based cultural strategies and funding mechanisms, such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, are supporting culture-led regeneration and innovation. The growth of the creative industries, particularly in digital and immersive content, offers new pathways for collaboration and economic development. There is renewed momentum around cultural tourism, supported by the district’s heritage assets, and increasing emphasis on community co-creation is fostering more inclusive, relevant programming. As local networks grow and leadership opportunities expand, Warwick District is well-positioned to strengthen its cultural resilience and amplify the role of arts and heritage in civic life.
About the Arts Section
Warwick District Council’s Arts Section’s aim is to increase attendance and participation in the Arts, ensuring opportunity for engagement and inspiration are maximised for visitors and residents. It will strengthen the creative economy of the district by supporting its thriving cultural infrastructure and using the Council’s influence to develop new and existing partnerships with artists, organisations and key funding bodies.
The Arts Section has two distinct areas of activity:
- Managing three key cultural venues in Royal Leamington Spa, delivering a year-round programme of theatre, music, visual arts, film, dance, comedy, and community events.
- Supporting the local creative community by delivering a programme of arts development activity.
Royal Spa Centre
The district’s only professional theatre, the Royal Spa Centre is a medium-sized receiving house with a 667-seat main auditorium and a 188-seat studio theatre and cinema. It hosts a wide-ranging programme of theatre, comedy, film, and community events, attracting around 95,000 visitors annually.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
Home to over 14,000 artworks and historical artefacts, the Art Gallery & Museum, open six days a week, features permanent displays and hosts three major temporary exhibitions, nine smaller displays, and around 100 engagement activities each year. Located in the town’s Grade II listed Royal Pump Rooms, it also includes Haddie’s Gallery for families and a purpose-built exhibition space. Annual footfall is approximately 100,000.
Leamington Spa Town Hall
A landmark Victorian building, the Town Hall offers a mix of office leases and hireable cultural spaces. It houses Motionhouse, a world-renowned dance-circus company, along with Leamington Music, Leamington Town Council, and WDC services. Motionhouse delivers touring productions, open rehearsals, and community programmes, reinforcing the Town Hall’s role as a national centre for dance. The venue is now entering an exciting redevelopment phase to further enhance its civic and cultural significance.
Arts Development Programme
In addition to venue management and a vibrant programme of arts and cultural events, the Arts Section delivers a highly successful arts development programme. This initiative supports and strengthens the local creative community through four key areas:
Arts Grants – Warwick District Council’s Arts Grants scheme supports arts organisations in delivering high-quality, engaging projects across the district. Offered twice a year, applications to the £26k funding pot are reviewed by a panel comprising WDC arts staff and representatives from local arts organisations. Proposals are assessed on alignment with the district’s Creative Framework, as well as on viability and risk. Grants provide:
- Financial support for young artists (aged 18–35) to advance their practice and careers.
- Funding for community groups and small organisations to deliver one-off cultural projects.
- Support for the development and growth of individual artists and arts organisations.
- Creative Partnerships representing the wider sector.
Schools
The Arts Section offers curriculum-linked, interactive workshops for primary schools at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, using collections to explore topics like Victorian life and World War II.
Professional Development
Spark, our flagship annual symposium, now in its sixth year, is a key event that brings together arts professionals for talks, workshops, and live demonstrations. The Arts Section also delivers training sessions on topics such as audience development, marketing, and fundraising, alongside resources like the Arts Marketing Toolkit (2025) and Public Art Toolkit (2025).
Critical Friends / Mediators
A team of experienced industry specialists provides personalised support to artists and cultural organisations as trusted ‘critical friends’. This includes guidance on fundraising, project development, and artistic practice, delivered through one-to-one surgeries and involvement in panels, steering groups, and boards.
Enhancing Cultural Infrastructure
Cultural infrastructure is key to maintaining a vibrant creative economy, fostering community engagement, and ensuring broad access to cultural experiences. It’s vital to the health of the district’s identity and residents’ and visitors’ quality of life.
To address this priority, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section will:
- Repair the Royal Pump Rooms Roof so that spaces currently closed due to water damage can be reopened to provide new areas for display in Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, helps to safeguard the collections presented and stored within the building, hire out spaces to creative people and organisations so that they can present cultural activity for the benefit of residents and visitors.
- Renew and upgrade Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s interpretation, to increase engagement and learning opportunities and improve accessibility, using innovative approaches and emerging technology.
- Ensure that all arts activity supported by WDC is inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, backgrounds, and incomes - by completing an access audit of all arts venues and programmes and ensuring 100% of new projects supported by the Arts Section provide accessible formats (e.g. BSL, captions, step-free access) and free or low-cost participation options.
- Upgrade Royal Spa Centre’s cinema and accessibility technology to improve audience experience.
- Develop a clear venue hire’s offer so that community through to professional arts and cultural groups can access spaces at Leamington Town Hall, the Royal Spa Centre, and the Royal Pump Rooms to present their artistic programmes.
- Finalise redevelopment of Royal Pump Rooms retail area and grow the number of artists presented so that it represents the breadth and diversity of the community we serve.
Digital Infrastrucutre
- Work with organisations like West Midlands Growth Company and Shakespeare’s England to ensure that the area’s arts and cultural activities are prompted to the broadest possible audience.
- Continue to build on Warwick District Council’s hugely successful Spark symposium, to provide a platform for the area’s creative community to connect and reconnect, with the aim of developing partnerships and sharing opportunities.
- Actively participate in and contribute to the development and sustainability of established and emerging town-based creative networks and initiatives, like Warwick’s Arts and Culture Network.
- Explore bringing back the hugely successful ‘Creative Morning Leamington’ breakfast networking sessions, or a version of it.
- Ensure that sustainability and environmental awareness is embedded in the commissioning, production, and presentation of public art and cultural programming, contributing to WDC's green agenda and climate goals.
- Promote inclusive artistic practice by ensuring that opportunities for creating, experiencing, and participating in art are accessible to all communities, with a focus on underrepresented and marginalised groups.
- Establish a clear and actionable Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy for the Arts Section that reflects the district’s diverse communities, ensures equality in access to opportunities, and actively challenges systemic barriers within the cultural sector.
Supporting Economic Growth & Regeneration
Economic growth and regeneration involve stimulating business activity, investment, and innovation to improve living standards, create jobs, and revitalise communities, especially in areas that have experienced decline.
To address this priority, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section will:
Making Best use of our Assets
- Support Warwick District Council’s new Asset Strategy and Management Plan, which will set out how we will best use our assets (Royal Pump Rooms, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Town Hall) to drive sustainability, enable regeneration, and commercial value to contribute to our long-term financial position and place shaping ambitions.
Boosting Tourism & Visitor Economy
- Revisit the feasibility studies, commissioned as part of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (2025), around heritage trails and explore how they can attract and engage new and existing visitors to the area.
- In partnership with Warwick District Council’s Marketing and Communications Team and Events Team, and via the Visitor Information Centre at the Royal Pump Rooms, promotecultural tourism through marketing campaigns that highlight the district’s creative offer.
Building Place Identity & Attractiveness
- EGR4 Deepen connections across time, place and communities by telling compelling stories at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum – supporting audiences to understand the world, our place within it, and our shared histories. Ensure the Gallery & Museum is a place of enjoyment, reflection and discovery.
- Contribute to and encouraging cultural branding that makes the district distinctive and appealing to residents, visitors, and investors - via storytelling for use in urban planning that embeds identity in the physical space.
- Celebrate diversity and inclusion by building relationships with different sections of our communities to tell stories that are relevant to them and created by them –presenting these through programming at the Royal Spa Centre and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, to reflect the community we serve and to attract a broader audience.
Revitalising High Streets & Town Centres
- Support Warwick District Council’s Place and Economy Teams with Creative Quarter developments by representing the arts community on boards and panels to ensure that creativity features within and supports development of the initiative.
- Work more closely with Warwick District Council’s Events and Green Spaces Teams to ensure that arts and culture can support and add value to their respective programmes of work, and where appropriate, provide opportunities for local creatives to present their work across our sites and at our events.
- Explore future use of Leamington Town Hall as a creative hub as part of Phase 2 developments, including the creation of hireable and leasable spaces for arts and cultural activity.
- Continue to seek funding to enhance public realm through the commissioning of public art, further supported by the creation of a public art toolkit, aimed at providing support to peoplenand organisations wanting to add to the area’s vibrant scene.
Leveraging Investment
- Identify and signpost creative individuals and organisations who are based or work in the District to funding that will support economic growth and regeneration across our four towns – and provide support with applications where appropriate.
- Stimulate private sector investment by using public arts and cultural projects to revitalise underused spaces, making areas more attractive for business, retail, and tourism.
Securing Funding & Partnerships
It is a priority to securing funding and partnerships in the arts and cultural sector involves obtaining financial support and building collaborative relationships with organisations, governments, or private donors to sustain and expand creative initiatives, exhibitions, performances, and community engagement programmes.
To address this priority, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section will:
Public Sector Funding
- Continue to award £26k of arts grants to individuals and organisations to support the development of artistic practices and growth of creative businesses.
- Apply to national funders such as Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, DCMS initiatives to win funding to support activity in this strategy and Warwick District’s Creative Framework.
Private Sector & Business Partnerships
- Identify and capitalise on corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships and opportunities to support arts and cultural projects and initiatives in Warwick district.
- Identify and capitalise on in-kind support from local businesses, like offering venues, materials, or professional services to the Arts Section or the local creative community.
- Work with BID Leamington (Business Improvement Districts) to co-deliver cultural programming that drives footfall, and building on success of initiatives like UKSPF funded Lights of Leamington.
- Identify and explore sponsorship deals and opportunities with local or national businesses in exchange for visibility and engagement and connect these with the sector.
Cross-Sector Collaborations
- Revisit the Warwick District Creative Compact initiative, now in it’s fifth year, to explore how it can add value to and deliver against priority areas in this strategy.
- Form alliances with tourism boards, environmental groups, colleges and universities to co-fund creative initiatives for the benefit of the people who live, work, and visit the area.
Regional, National & International Networks
- Continue to represent the area’s creative community on regional and national networks, ensuring that sector intelligence and opportunities are filtered down and distributed through local channels for the benefit of the area.
Capacity Building for Fundraising
- Programme professional development sessions in bid writing, evaluation, and partnership development to strengthen the sector and help with organisational resilience.
- Develop compelling impact data and case studies to strengthen future bids and to be used in lobbying and advocacy of the sector.
Audience Development
- Identify and apply for funding to support the development of Warwick District Council’s Arts Section’s Learning and Engagement Programme to develop new and retain existing audiences across the programme of events and activities at the Royal Spa Centre and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.
- Create and maintain a comprehensive Arts Database (funding, organisations and spaces) for Warwick District and publish online for the benefit of the creative community.
Improving Education & Skills Development
It is a priority to expand access to high-quality learning opportunities that nurture creativity, build technical and professional skills, and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to vibrant cultural communities.
To address this priority, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section will:
Creative Apprenticeships & Internships
- Continue to provide apprenticeship positions each year in Warwick District Council’s Arts Section’s Collections and Engagement, Technical, and Programming and Marketing Team to provide opportunities for young people to earn a salary while learning the profession, gain practical experience, and acquire nationally recognised qualification.
Volunteering
- Develop volunteering opportunities at the Royal Spa Centre and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum so that volunteers can gain new skills and access valuable work experience, with the aim of developing a pipeline of talent that can access paid positions within the arts. Targeting participants from areas with low levels of arts engagement is a priority.
- Support the development of a district-wide volunteer pool to be of benefit to arts and cultural organisations in the district, many of which rely on volunteers to run their businesses.
Education Partnerships with Schools, Colleges, & Universities
- Continue to develop and grow our school's engagement work using the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, our collection, and the Royal Spa Centre’s programme as a catalyst.
- Explore how our Customer Service Team can provide formal work experience opportunities via collaborative working with local schools and colleges.
- Explore collaborative opportunities with Warwickshire College Group, to provide local students with the opportunity to present work within our building and across the district.
- Continue to provide opportunities for the University of Warwick students to work with the Arts Section on real-world art development challenges, which will contribute to their academic marks – and connect the Course Directors with other arts and cultural organisations for similar opportunities.
Cultural Sector Career Pathway Events
- Continue to programme education and skills development content at our annual Spark event that is of interest and of benefit to young people’s professional development.
- Develop a year-round programme of ‘Spark Presents’ arts and cultural sector support events on topics and themes pertinent to the areas creative community.
- Work with Warwickshire County Council on the planning, development, and delivery of the annual Interactive Futures event, which promotes local talent, offers career opportunities, fosters industry networking, and supports educational initiatives, solidifying the region's reputation as a key hub in the UK's gaming industry.
Youth Voice & Next Generation Governance
- Amplify the voices of children and young people in shaping local arts and cultural activity by establishing a Youth Cultural Advisory Panel or consultative forum - to inform programming, commissions, and outreach.
Support For Freelancers and Independent Creatives
- Provide targeted support for the freelance creative workforce to improve stability, representation, and professional growth.
Strengthening Community Engagement & Wellbeing
It is a priority to foster inclusive, participatory experiences that connect people, celebrate diverse identities, and support mental, emotional, and social wellbeing through creative expression and shared cultural spaces.
To address this priority, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section will:
Participatory Arts Projects
- Refocus The Arts Section’s grants criteria to encourage projects that support the development of participation and attract new audiences – socially and geographically.
Arts For Mental Health & Wellbeing
- CEW2 Work with Warwick District Council’s Communities team to explore how we can support the health and wellbeing agenda via arts programming and arts development activity.
- Develop initiatives that will enable audiences to handle objects from the town’s collection and provide access to behind-the-scenes tour - to demystify the arts and renew existing and develop new relationships with members of the community.
Collections
- Update Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s Collections Development Policy so that the priority areas more closely reflect Leamington's communities.
Learning And Engagement
- Review and update the Arts Section’s Learning and Engagement Strategy using newly acquired data and insight – to ensure The Royal Spa Centre and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s learning and engagement programme attracts and engages audiences from across our communities.
- Continue to provide free, intergenerational, engagement opportunities for families, and local people at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, in addition to the free programme of exhibitions.
- Continue to provide schools workshops at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum and participating schools on topics and themes relating to the exhibitions programme and addressing areas in participating schools’ curriculum.
Programming
- Ensure that programming at the Royal Spa Centre and Leamington Art Gallery & Museum reflects and responds to the voices, stories, and priorities of local communities, fostering a greater sense of ownership, relevance, and representation.
- Explore and develop ways for the Arts Section to support, celebrate and amplify local cultural festivals and community-led celebrations within its venues and programmes, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive cultural calendar that reflects the identity and diversity of the district.
Social Value
- Embed social value as a core measure of success across all arts activity, ensuring the wider benefits of arts and culture, such as improved wellbeing, community cohesion, skills development, and economic contribution are actively captured, evaluated, and communicated.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Progress against this strategy will be reviewed annually, using KPIS and qualitative data drawn from audience feedback, partner input, and sector intelligence. A short public-facing impact summary will be published each year.
Action Plan
We are passionate about supporting our creative community and committed to helping wherever we can. While our time and budget are limited, we strive to provide fair and equal support to all individuals and organisations, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our vibrant cultural landscape.
The following Action Plan sets out the practical steps we will take to deliver the priorities of the Arts & Cultural Strategy 2025–2028. It includes clear objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), timescales, and where known, indicative resource requirements. The plan will serve as a working tool for the Arts Section and its partners, guiding decision-making, informing funding bids, and enabling regular monitoring and evaluation of progress.
It is designed to be flexible and responsive to changing needs, emerging opportunities, and ongoing feedback from the creative sector and wider community. By translating strategic intent into actionable commitments, this plan ensures that our vision becomes reality, grounded in delivery, shaped by collaboration, and measured by meaningful impact.
Furthermore, we will embed resilience and risk-awareness into strategy delivery and project planning by developing a simple risk register for the strategy’s delivery, identifying mitigation strategies across finance, audience behaviour, and workforce capacity. We will also include a quarterly check-in mechanism for the Arts Section team to review key pressures and adapt activity as needed.
Thanks & Acknowledgements
The Arts Section would like to thank the following people for the support they provided in the creation of this document:
- Stewart Mcgill, Consultant Director, Playbox Theatre
- Mike Patrick, Chair, Leamington Studio Artists
- Louise Richards, Executive Director, Motionhouse
End Notes
National
1. The £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund supported over 5,000 cultural organisations: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/CRF / https://www.gov.uk/government/news/157-billion-investment-to-protect-britainsworld-class-cultural-arts-and-heritage-institutio
2. In 2022, the creative industries contributed £125 billion to the UK economy and employed 2.4 million people: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/creative-industries-sector-vision/ / https://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creativeoverview/facts-and-figures/
3. The BBC’s 50:50 Equality Project showed that by April 2019, 74% of teams met gender balance goals: https://www.bbc.com/5050 / https://www.runnymedetrust.org/blog/bbc-50-50-project-what-weve-learned
4. The UK Government pledged a further £77 million in its Creative Industries Sector Vision (2023): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision / https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/creative-industries-sectorvision/
5. The Cultural Recovery Fund also supported approximately 220,000 jobs during the pandemic: https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/news/impact-cultural-recovery-fund
Regional (West Midlands / Coventry)
6. Coventry’s UK City of Culture 2021 attracted over 1 million attendees and brought in £170+ million investment: https://coventry2021.co.uk/about-us/ / https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/4070/city-of-culture-generated-172m-forcoventry-s-economy
7. Festival 2022 featured over 200 commissions during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (further confirmation): https://www.festival2022.uk / https://www.birmingham2022.com/news/2690907/festival-uk-2022-launched-as-part-of-commonwealth-games
8. Creative cluster organisations such as Create Central, Digbeth Loc Studios, Creative Black Country, BOM, and Beatfreeks are active in the region: https://www.createcentraluk.com / https://digbethloc.wbdigital.co.uk / https://www.creativeblackcountry.co.uk/ / https://www.bom.org.uk / https://www.beatfreeks.com
9. Regional education and skills support by Arts Connect, Punch Records, and BOA Stage & Screen Academy: https://www.artsconnect.co.uk / https://www.punch-records.co.uk / https://www.boa-stageandscreen.co.uk
Local (Warwick District)
10. Warwick District’s Creative Framework (2021) and regeneration funding: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20709/arts_and_culture/1813/creative_framework / https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus