MPs to examine how culture can engineer the levelling up agenda

7 Jan 2022 02:46 PM

The role that culture might play in delivering a Government commitment to level up the country is the focus of a new inquiry launched today, Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda.

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The DCMS Committee’s inquiry will consider funding for cultural initiatives and how well the current model ensures that distribution goes to areas that might be missing out.

MPs will also explore how harnessing local creative talent and businesses could help bring back footfall to high streets and town centres, enlivening commercial buildings and protecting them against closure.

Chair's comment

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:

“We’ll be examining what role culture can play in driving the levelling up agenda for communities and businesses to ensure that no area is left behind.

“This presents an opportunity for our world-leading creative workforce to play an active role in recharging our shared spaces and high streets.

“The success of existing schemes like the UK City of Culture could provide the right model to level up funding for arts and culture. We’ll be taking a close look at how money is distributed to arts initiatives across the country to ensure that areas currently underfunded get a look in.”

Terms of Reference

The DCMS Committee is inviting written evidence by Friday 18 February 2022 addressing the following areas:

Further information