Lancashire is already culturally powerful.
68+ million visitors per year
£5.7+ billion visitor economy
International festivals and nationally recognised events, such as Lytham Festival, The National Festival of Making in Blackburn, The British Textile Biennial, Rebellion Festival and The British Country Music Festival in Blackpool
Major regeneration projects recently completed or currently underway, include The Harris Museum & Art Gallery in Preston, the Winter Gardens in Morecambe, Mercer Hall in Great Harwood and the Lowther Pavilion Theatre in Lytham
Strong university presence including Lancaster University, a research intensive university, consistently placed in the Top 15 of major UK league tables, the University of Lancashire, one of the largest universities in the UK, Edge Hill University, recently named ‘university of the year for student experience’ in the Daily Mail University Guide, and one of the University of Cumbria‘s seven campus locations
Deep heritage in textiles, manufacturing and coastal culture
Vibrant freelance and grassroots creative networks supported by county-wide programmes like Arts Lancashire, the Lancashire Music Association and Lancashire County of Song
The infrastructure exists.
The talent exists.
The pride exists.
Lancashire is not one story.
It is many different lived experiences.
Some Lancashire districts rank among the most deprived in England – Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Hyndburn are in the top 10–15% most deprived nationally.
Life expectancy in parts of the county is below the England average, particularly in more deprived districts.
Educational attainment varies sharply across districts, with coastal and post-industrial areas below national averages.
Over 21% of the population is aged 65+, above the national average, with rural and coastal communities particularly affected.
Social isolation impacts significant numbers of older residents, particularly in Wyre and Fylde.
Across the county, outcomes shift dramatically.
Coastal & Post-Industrial Areas
Rural & Commuter Areas
This inequality is structural, but it is not inevitable.
Right now Lancashire is driving forward:
Devolution and governance change
Regeneration investment
Cultural strategy renewal
Growing focus on health and wellbeing
This is a once-in-a-generation window to embed culture into economic, health and place strategy.
Access to Arts & a strong Cultural offer:
Culture is not decoration.
It’s infrastructure.
In a county being reshaped administratively and politically, culture can provide continuity.
Where statistics show inequality, culture can create opportunity.
Where communities feel divided, culture brings people together.
The Lancashire culture sector has an important role in:
Targeting areas of highest need
Connecting high-performing and underperforming districts
Supporting creative careers
Strengthening regeneration
Telling a confident, unified Lancashire story
Arts Lancashire exists to connect, convene and champion culture across the whole county – beyond district boundaries and political cycles. We work with artists, organisations, freelancers, funders and local authorities to strengthen collaboration and amplify the collective voice of Lancashire culture.
At a time of change, Lancashire needs a joined-up cultural advocate – one that sees the bigger picture and understands both the challenges and the opportunity.
Arts Lancashire is here to tell that story – and to ensure culture is not an afterthought in Lancashire’s future, but a driving force within it.