Regeneration through cultural investment
Regeneration through cultural investment
By
Julia Fawcett
SUMMARY
Twenty years ago Salford City Council had the ambitious plan to regenerate a working dock and The Lowry project was born. This area is now one of the most significant cultural and media destinations in the world and the fastest growing visitor destination in the UK. In this article, Julia Fawcett discusses The Lowry's impact study 'Beyond the Arts' and how of this type of financial investment can affect change far beyond artistic organisations and help shape the landscape.
Our location and position has also allowed us to develop a raft of commercial activity that generates financial returns to support the work of the organisation. Our bars and restaurants make the most of our popular programme and the growing appeal of the quays as a visitor destination. Our conference business takes advantage of the architecture and position of our building and welcomes delegates from around the world. The annual returns from these two areas of our business is £3.4 million and we operate these businesses in-house ensuring that the full benefit of these activities is ploughed back into our artistic and engagement programmes.
