Council secures £90,000 for digital events

Cheshire East Council has secured a £90,000 grant to run a digital-focused programme of interactive events, exhibitions and workshops.

The grant from Arts Council England will help deliver an exciting 12-month programme called Shift, starting in January.

Shift will explore interactive hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations, including coding, hacking, robotics and prototyping and showcase technology, inventions, virtual and augmented reality and gadgets.

It will also run in partnership with arts organisations and both regional and national digital artists, who will exhibit throughout the year presenting innovative work to engage and challenge audiences.

One of those taking part is award-winning French artist Laurence Payot, whose work has been commissioned by renowned museums, galleries and live art festivals and takes forms that connect people and challenge our perceptions of each other. Her exhibition during Shift will take place in spring.

Councillor David Brown, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “It is great news that our cultural economy team has secured this grant and it highlights the council’s commitment to digital creativity.

“It promises to be an exciting year of activity and I hope it will inspire a new generation of creators and entrepreneurs.”

The programme will work with Cheshire East Council’s arms-length company, the Skills and Growth Company, as well as Liverpool John Moores University, which will deliver a research programme, and the Mobile FACTLab.

Developed with Fact (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) Liverpool, the FACTLab will tour town centres and rural locations and offer residents the chance to explore technology that would not normally be accessible to them.

Julian Cobley, managing director of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “The creative and digital sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy in Cheshire East, with an accumulated turnover of over £200m.

“This programme will cement the borough’s reputation for creativity and design-led growth by creating new artist opportunities, building capacity and skills and offering wide public engagement.”