Vision:

By 2026

Connecting and Strategising

We will have created a series of collaborative, and inclusive networks and working groups for the creative sector in Tunbridge Wells.

Ongoing comprehensive data collection on the creative industries and workforce will guide impactful interventions and serve as a metric for evaluating our progress.
Our cultural and heritage assets will gain increased recognition, paving the way for robust and strategic development opportunities.

Through the Festival and Events Group, our events and festivals will gain financial stability, improved governance, and sustainable growth.

Freelancers and SMEs in the creative sector will be benefiting from enhanced connectivity, training schemes, and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities. Helping businesses retain and up-skill their existing workforce.

Career pathway projects will help young people into creative professions and meet the staffing needs of local business & encourage them to pursue careers in the Culture, Heritage and wider creative industries

Creative Tunbridge Wells will be engrained in existing structures and process – representing the sector with input into the Town Centre Plan and other documents and initiatives.

Cultural institutions will share good practice through strategic partnerships – allowing existing provision to be expanded and new projects. Assembly Hall Theatre and The Amelia Scott draft and implement new business plans.

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By 2030

Growing and Innovating

Continued growth in the sector will attract additional investment from both business entities and governmental initiatives.

The festival and community events calendar will be expanding and improving – bringing more visitors to the town and enriching the lives of residents. The diverse festival programme will collaborate with local Cultural Anchors to ensure sustainable and strategic growth.

Early career support projects will ensure creative professionals can progress, whilst pathway projects will become more expansive across the sector.

The digital economy will leverage technological advancements through proactive cross-sector initiatives. They will have access to skills development and mentoring networks which ensure they can access the workforce they need.

Existing collaborations between the creative sector and Health & Social Care sectors will be built upon – fostering new cultural projects in NHS and care settings, ensuring widespread cultural access.

Embracing strategic place-making opportunities will catalyse sector growth in under-served communities and surrounding rural areas

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By 2034

Leading and Compounding

The creative economy will thrive and become a self sustaining ecosystem of businesses, SMEs and freelancers. Creativity and Culture will be intertwined and embedded in developments, town planning, and health and care settings.

The festival and events programme, will be renowned regionally and nationally, continuing to draw significant visitors and enriching the lives of residents.

Creative pathway projects, in partnership with further and higher education institutions will produce a steady influx of engaged youth into the sector and create the workforce of tomorrow. Supported by networking projects and mentoring schemes these creative careers will be fulfilling and fruitful.

The wider creative sector will engage with and be supported by the cultural institutions and infrastructure in the borough. Tunbridge Wells will be known as a welcoming and vibrant place for creative businesses. More creative sector businesses will choose to move to the borough.

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