Thames Gateway and the Olympics

Case study: North Kent Cultural Framework and Toolkit

The North Kent Cultural Framework and Toolkit (NKCFT) represents a unique collaboration between the South East's arts and cultural agencies, Communities and Local Government Thames Gateway Programme, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and others.

NKCFT, part of a DCMS pilot approach on linking culture into regeneration has received endorsement from Culture Minister Richard Caborn. Reaching a shared view on cultural regeneration needs and translating this into practical advice for new projects and communities is a major achievement, and has been welcomed across all our major local partners.

The NKCFT was formally launched as part of the Medway Summer concerts in July 2006, and is now used as a resource for agencies, planners, and project bidders. It provides:

  • a collective view on how culture should be integrated into the regeneration of the Kent Thames Gateway
  • practical guidance to potential projects
  • a rationale for investing in culture within the regeneration and growth programme
  • an assessment of the existing local cultural sector
  • a vision and principles agreed by all stakeholders to guide future cultural development
  • a set of recommendations for strategic planning

Culture touches and uplifts the lives of everyone in the UK. Culture involves many things including

  • performing/visual arts, craft/fashion
  • libraries, literature, media
  • museums
  • buildings/landscape
  • sports
  • children's playgrounds
  • tourism, festivals and attractions

The NKCFT provides practical tools to help develop cultural projects, decide whether they deserve support, and maximise their prospects of gaining funding.

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The Delivery Plan

A layout of the policy for the Thames Gateway and the projects taking place.

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