NCC1321 Animating Ashington

Northumberland County Council is the lead partner for the Ashington Regeneration Programme, with funding provided by a number of different sources. As part of this Regeneration Programme, the Council seek to appoint an exceptional cultural and creative professional team to design and deliver a distinct series of cultural events and activities that engage local people and businesses, attract visitors and complement the Ashington Investment Plan objectives. Community engagement will be at the heart of the Animating Ashington project with a focus on children and young people. Specifically, the project will: • Appoint a cultural and creative professional team or company to develop and deliver a distinct programme of intergenerational cultural inspired performance events and responses that activate, animate and mobilise the town centre, with an overall programme theme based on colour, animation and the high street. • Increase activity to the town’s current offer including activation of existing and proposed new sites to demonstrate potential through a programme of events concentrated throughout the year. Expanded activities could include festivals, makers, craft and lifestyle markets, projections, lighting events and engaging performances that give residents new reasons to visit the town centre and add to the appeal of Ashington as a destination for rail users from summer 2024. • Increase the understanding of the town’s culture and consider contemporary responses to support a future focused approach and vision to reimagine the purpose and function of the town. • Encourage business collaboration particularly with those trading in the town centre to foster a culture of working together to present the diversity of offer and ability of the town centre to promote Ashington as a destination. • Increase civic pride, encourage public participation and create a legacy and local ownership of annual events via partnership working and an asset-based approach. • Support audience development, establish and nurture connections to residents, schools and local businesses.