Peterborough arts group calls for more investment to help grow

Artists have called for more investment to improve a city’s cultural infrastructure.

The Peterborough Culture Forum said its members needed more space to hold workshops, rehearse, perform and display work.

In March, the Peterborough Cultural Alliance was awarded more than £500,000 from Arts Council England to “help build a cultural plan”.

Kate Hall, a creative producer for Peterborough’s Jumped Up Theatre, said more investment was needed to ensure continued growth in the local arts scene.

“The only purpose-built arts space in the city is the Key Theatre and that could probably do with a quite a lot of investment and refurbishment,” she said.

“Something in the city centre, which says ‘this is a creative place where culture, heritage and the arts is valued’ would be a really powerful thing.”

The Peterborough Culture Forum, which is funded by the Peterborough Cultural Alliance, met on Wednesday night to share ideas on how to grow the sector.

The forum was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic for artists and local groups to collaborate and promote local events.

Sughra Ahmed, the managing director of the Peterborough Cultural Alliance, which has been tasked with delivering the city’s cultural strategy, said more investment could mean a future bid to become the UK City of Culture.

“We’re at a turning point, something is growing – pride in place is growing,” she said.

“And in a few years, my hope is that we can apply for city of culture… that’s my aspiration, absolutely.”

Ms Hall added: “There should be more facilities in this city than there currently are and I hope by having the cultural alliance driving things forward, and making a case for arts and culture, then arts and culture will come up the agenda.”