Thirteen local councils have been chosen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to become part of a new national programme to promote the Government?s social, environmental and economic agenda through cultural initiatives at a local level.
Birmingham, Canterbury, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Liverpool, Manchester, North and South Tyneside, the London Borough of Richmond, Spelthorne, Sheffield, Somerset, and Suffolk have been named as ?Cultural Pathfinders?, and are charged with showing how culture can raise standards and improve quality in the fields of healthy living, community safety and social cohesion. The aim is for innovative culture and sports initiatives to be tested at local level, and best practice shared with other authorities. A violence awareness project supported by the Liverpool Culture Company has been highlighted as the type of programme that will be particularly relevant. Young people in the city have been given expert help to stage their own play about violent behaviour, and to make radio adverts and drama productions which are written and staged in just 48 hours.
Published: 28-02-2005