University of East Anglia (UEA) and Arts Council England sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“Norfolk is home to a vibrant community of artists and cultural organisations, whose work is both ambitious and of the highest quality. The stories they tell have the power to change lives here for the better.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England
The University of East Anglia (UEA) and Arts Council England have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Signed on Tuesday 21 May at the Sainsbury Centre on the UEA campus, the MoU outlines a strategic partnership focused on widening access and improving the diversity and inclusion of arts and culture across Norfolk.
The comprehensive initiative is a commitment by all stakeholders to collaborate in advancing Norfolk’s arts and creative industries. By leveraging the University of East Anglia’s regional influence, the partnership will amplify the impact of the arts, particularly in under-served communities, while also promoting education, research, and environmental sustainability.
The MoU recognizes Norfolk’s potential as a vibrant regional hub for the arts, highlighting the significant benefits the arts bring to the well-being of individuals and communities.
“We are really excited to extend our work, forging an exciting new partnership to champion greater public engagement in the arts and culture, particularly in areas of historic underfunding, rural isolation and socioeconomic hardships.”
Prof David Maguire, Vice Chancellor of the University of East Anglia
The signatories have agreed on four focal points for their work:
Creative Place-Making: Enhancing creativity and cultural engagement in Norfolk, particularly in underfunded and isolated areas, by leveraging UEA’s interdisciplinary research and promoting access to Norfolk’s heritage.
Norfolk’s Creative Industries: Strengthening Norfolk’s creative sectors by ensuring access to the necessary infrastructure, resources, and support, with a focus on creating accessible career pathways for young people.
Climate: Advocating for environmental responsibility within the cultural sector by leveraging UEA’s climate research and the Arts Council’s commitment to environmental action to foster positive environmental change.
Arts, Health and Wellbeing: Integrating creative health into health and wellbeing policies to enhance the role of the arts in improving individual and community health outcomes.
Prof David Maguire, Vice Chancellor of the University of East Anglia, said: “Helping Arts Council England with their agenda to deliver impact in key localities whilst also tackling wider issues such as climate change through the humanities is playing to UEA strengths, and we hope to help develop new national delivery templates through this new joint working.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “UEA performs an important role in Norfolk and on the national and international stage in training the next generation of creative practitioners and in generating world class research that drives forward innovation in our creative industries. The University is also an important partner for us in investing in culture with the aim of making Norfolk an even more attractive place to live, work and study.”
David Ellis, Director of Development and Campaigns at UEA, said: “This is a very important new strategic partnership we are delighted to celebrate through this agreement, supporting our future joint working, and builds on years of Arts Council England support for our Sainsbury Centre, including a generous £325,000 grant for urgent glass repairs in 2022.
UEA’s strategic direction focuses on areas of recognised excellence; creativity, health and climate, whilst engaging communities through a new civic agenda. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary at UEA we are pleased to develop our partnership working to deliver wider benefits for the people of Norfolk and our many visitors.”
