Creative Crawley is proud to be part of Culture Sussex, a new partnership bringing together cultural leaders and organisations from across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove to champion the value of arts, culture and heritage across the region.
The partnership aims to strengthen the collective voice of Sussex’s cultural sector, demonstrate its contribution to the region’s economy and communities, and help shape future investment and policy as the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority develops.
Culture Sussex brings together representatives from Brighton & Hove Culture Alliance, Culture East Sussex and West Sussex Creatives, with Creative Crawley’s Creative Director Louise Blackwell representing West Sussex Creatives within the partnership.
Research findings from the University of Sussex and Culture Sussex highlights the significant economic and social contribution of arts, culture and heritage across the region.
Culture contributes an estimated £3.5 billion annually to the Sussex economy, including more than £650 million in benefits to hospitality and retail. Sussex’s creative clusters support over 30,000 jobs, while cultural activity generates an estimated £200 million annually in health and wellbeing benefits for local residents.
The research demonstrates the importance of recognising culture not only as a driver of economic growth, but also as an essential contributor to community wellbeing, education, skills and place-making.
To mark the launch, Culture Sussex has commissioned Culture Makes Sussex, a new film celebrating the creativity, diversity and cultural heritage of the region.
Created by Brighton-based filmmaker Rosie Powell, the film features a specially written poem by Crawley’s very own Poet Laureate, Woodzy, celebrating the people, places and creative communities that make Sussex unique.
Creative Crawley is delighted to contribute to this collective effort to champion the role of culture in shaping a vibrant, connected and thriving Sussex.
Explore the manifesto and learn more about Culture Sussex at culturesussex.org.
Credits:
Research: University of Sussex and Culture Sussex
Film: Rosie Powell, Fiona Lomas, Rachel Curry
Poem: Woodzy
Image: Jess Hands
This work has been supported using public funding from Arts Council England.
