Five creative projects have become the first to receive seed funding through Creative Blackpool, marking the start of a new investment programme designed to support artists, producers and cultural organisations developing new work in the town.
The funding, made possible through Arts Council England investment secured to begin delivering Blackpool’s Cultural Strategy, is intended to help projects move from early ideas into production while strengthening the town’s independent cultural sector.
The first recipients span theatre, visual arts, storytelling and community-led practice, reflecting the breadth of creative work already taking place across Blackpool.
Among them is LIV, a new immersive nightlife experience from Aysh, Sam De Belle and Mykey J Young (pictured left) which begins tonight night at The Avenue. Inspired by the spirit of Studio 54 but rooted firmly in contemporary Blackpool, the project transforms The Avenue into an interactive cabaret club where audiences become part of the performance.
Speaking ahead of LIV’s opening, co-artistic director Mykey J Young said the funding had been fundamental to getting the project off the ground.
“We’ve been really thankful to Creative Blackpool, who awarded us seed funding. That’s actually paid for our rehearsal process, and without that we wouldn’t have got this off the ground.”
Blackpool’s Cultural Strategy aims to grow the town’s creative economy by supporting local talent, strengthening independent organisations and creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Co-produced by local arts organisations, now under the umbrella of Creative Blackpool, its ultimate goal is for Blackpool to become the Coastal Capital of Creativity by 2030.
The other projects to receive seed funding from Creative Blackpool include Uncanny Town – a series of strange stories from beside the sea by Blackpool Social Club contributor and author Beth Barker (pictured right). The project will combine literature with visual art and thought-provoking events to catalyse creative conversation between different mediums and elevate Blackpool’s literary potential.
Blackpool and the Fylde College English lecturer and writer Rachael Leitch has been awarded the funding to develop Alley Girls – a socially driven theatre project celebrating working-class female solidarity, engaging local artists and communities, and exploring exploitation, addiction, youth crime, aspiration, and Blackpool’s cultural development.
Where We Dance by Helen Rodger is a project reimagining the Blackpool Tower Ballroom floor as a finite collection of handmade jewellery. Each piece of jewellery will be a fragment of the whole floor, while Helen will also research and record the floor’s overlooked history.
Finally, Rogues Gallery is a live touring show and gallery created by local communities and led by comedy and performance duo Black Liver. The project aims to develop the artistic skills of the public, who might feel disconnected to local culture, introducing them to the burgeoning art scene in Blackpool and involving them in the creation of a a professional live performance.
For Blackpool’s independent sector, relatively modest investments at the earliest stages can often make the difference between an idea remaining on paper and reaching an audience.
Kerry Vasiliou, Partnership Director at Creative Blackpool, said: “What we’re seeing in Blackpool is part of a bigger story about how Place Partnerships can genuinely change the prospects of a town. Arts Council England’s investment isn’t just funding individual projects, it’s building the infrastructure for a creative sector that didn’t have this level of backing before.
“Blackpool has always had creative talent. What’s changed is that we now have the means to identify it, invest in it and give it room to grow. That matters on its own terms, but it also matters for what comes next. As the town looks towards City of Culture 2029, this Fund is evidence that Blackpool’s creative renaissance isn’t a slogan, it’s already happening, project by project, person by person.”
