Dorset Cultural Partnership

The development of the Dorset Cultural Strategy (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window)  was led by the Dorset Cultural Partnership (DSP). It is ambitious for Dorset and values our traditions, history and local distinctiveness in land and seascapes. It seeks to build on our international links and world status.

In the Citizens Panel Survey April 2009:

• 78% agree that access to cultural activities helps to make Dorset a better place to live 

• 77% agree that engagement in cultural activities contributes to an improved quality of life

Culture has great potential to bring communities together and plays an essential role in improving places and lives. Taking children to the local pantomime, playing for the village football team, finding out about your family history - these are some of the things that make life richer.

Cultural activity includes the following:

• visual and performing arts (dance, drama, music)

• museums and galleries

• archives

• libraries

• sport and physical leisure activity

• public spaces and parks

• places of heritage

• digital media

• film making and television

Cultural activity can include being a member of the audience, taking part in a workshop, or being a performer or team member.

Nearly a quarter of adults in Dorset are members of a physical activity group, Dorset's 30 museums are focal points inspiring local people. Over 15,000 people enjoy Artsreach events in community venues every year, we visit and help to preserve our heritage with 12,850 listed buildings, 190 conservation areas, over 1,500 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and over 30 listed parks and gardens.

Regional Information

Finding The Dots (pdf, 130kb) (opens in a new window)  is an ebulletin that lists recent cultural research reports and forthcoming events.
The Culture Module is part of the South West Observatory's research intelligence network. It is supported by the South West Culture Agencies Network of: Arts Council England, English Heritage, Creative England, Sport England and by the South West Local Authorities Cultural Partnership. For past issues of Finding the Dots, more information and news visit the South West Observatory website (opens in a new window)

Arts Council England have recently published The Contribution of the arts and culture to the national economy (opens in a new window) , an independent report commissioned by the Arts Council and conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

The report is the first comprehensive analysis to determine this value to the modern economy on a national scale.

Terms of reference

The Dorset Cultural Partnership (previously known as the Culture Theme Group) will work to increase participation and access to a wide spectrum of cultural activities in Dorset. See the Terms of Reference and Operating Principles June 11 (pdf, 141kb) (opens in a new window) .

• Membership

  The Dorset Cultural Partnership has a breadth of membership which spans archives; arts; creative industries; heritage and historic environment; libraries; lifelong learning; museums; open spaces; play; sport and physical activity; voluntary and community arts.

• Minutes of meetings

  The Dorset Cultural Partnership meets at least four times a year, minutes taken at these meetings are available to download.

• Dorset Cultural Strategy 2009-2014

  Our Vision and ambition is that Dorset leads the world in placing culture at the heart of quality of life.