A creative West Cumbrian project which aims to bring joy to communities has been extended until 2029.
Everyone Here has today secured continued funding from Arts Council England.
Everyone Here has built a people-led programme of creative activity in West Cumbria.
At its heart is Jury for Joy – the UK’s first long-term citizens’ jury on art and creativity — where 28 local people have come together to explore what creativity means for their communities.
Through open deliberation and collective decision-making, Jury for Joy has designed and commissioned a mix of events and projects shaped by, and for, the people of West Cumbria.
The projects have ranged in size and scale. The Spark Bus Tour, delivered in partnership with Workington Transport Heritage Trust, transformed a vintage bus into a travelling community workshop with creative pit stops in Cleator Moor, Distington, Seascale, Frizington, Millom, Mirehouse, Allonby, Aspatria and Dearham – giving hundreds of people the chance to take part in taster sessions and create their own art.
Hall Park Light Works attracted over 10,000 visitors who enjoyed a magical, free outdoor light show in Workington in the lead-up to Christmas.
Earlier this year, the Imagine Festival took over Seascale with a community-led arts celebration where 1,500 people joined in performances and pop-up
activities across the coastal town.
Everyone Here works with partners including ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, which helped lead the project in its early years, the University of Lancashire,
Cumberland Council and Citizens In Power.
Dr Colette Conroy, chair of Everywhere Everything Everyone CIC, said: “This is such fantastic news, we are very grateful to be able to continue to work with communities in West Cumbria, learning about their passions and interests over time.
“We are also grateful to ACTion with Communities in Cumbria who have led the way for this remarkable project.
“We look forward to continuing to build on this work.”
Over the next three years, Everyone Here said it hoped to take the Jury for Joy forward into a citizens’ assembly by 2029 and discussion have already started with local people about beginning a Children’s Jury for Joy in the future.
Upcoming events from Everyone Here include two festive outdoor light shows this December, in Workington on Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7 and Seascale on Saturday December 13 and Sunday December 14. A second Imagine Festival is planned for February next year.
