Arts

Leading the market in the management of Theatres, Culture and the Arts

As part of Leisure Connection’s delivery of first class local leisure, arts and cultural services to millions of people, we’ve been privileged to work with our local authority partners, PCTs, social enterprise groups and national organisations, to deliver an exciting arts and culture programme in 2009/2010.

From fashion and music, to theatre and design, events and exhibitions to exploring the great British countryside, we have been able to help local communities enjoy a rich and varied schedule of activity.

The programme has engaged children, families, older people and hard-to-reach groups as Leisure Connection further expands its wider arts and leisure management remit, in partnership with some truly innovative organisations.

As an example, working with North Kesteven District Council, we have seen our partnership:

• Take visitor numbers to over 75,000 at The Hub – the National Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford – with an exhibition which included collaboration with the Arts Council and London’s Fashion and Textile Museum

• Manage 135 miles of country walks, working with local social enterprise group Hill Holt Wood to provide valuable experience for trainees, including the long term unemployed and excluded young people from the Education to Employment Programme

• Employ a Countryside Promotions Officer to plan, organise and promote guided walks, exhibitions and treasure hunts across Lincolnshire – attracting over 6,000 participants

• Take sport to extremes to attract young people, including those at risk of exclusion from school and those who have received anti social behaviour warnings, with climbing walls and playbus projects as part of a Local Strategic Partnership known as ExtremeNK

• Achieve “Walking for Health” accreditation through the Department of Health for a Health Walks Project, managed by Leisure Connection for North Kesteven District Council, funded by the local Primary Care Trust

• Revitalise older people with a programme of exercise to music classes through Arts NK and funded by the local Primary Care Trust

• Open a brand new play park at the Natural World Centre in Whisby, co-funded by Leisure Connection, the Growth Point Fund, Aggregates Levy Fund, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Lafarge Aggregates.