Case studies

Bristol’s museums and galleries have a combined collection of more than two million items. When the council began its three-year digitisation programme, 95 per cent of them were not yet fully catalogued or photographed.

Magna Vitae is a specially created charitable trust which runs leisure, culture and health-related services on behalf of East Lindsey District Council.

In Peterborough, a new delivery model for the city’s library service has reduced its cost by over 20 per cent while increasing public access by 50 per cent.

A group of disabled residents has used art to explore issues around accessibility in St Helens town centre, sharing its findings with local venues and businesses.

Cornwall Council is investing in a range of culture capital projects to support local economies, attract visitors and strengthen the creative sector.

Hosting a major exhibition by the street artist Banksy has been a catalyst for cultural renaissance and economic regeneration in the coastal town of Weston-super-Mare.

The work began in 2012 with a series of events for arts practitioners and health-based commissioners to discuss joint working. This led to a £250,000 investment from the council’s public health and arts services, along with investment partners Artswork and Royal Opera House Bridge, for a pilot commission.

Devon County Council has set up an independent staff- and community-owned social enterprise to run the county’s library service.

Oldham Council is using arts and culture to address issues around the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Effective community engagement has been key to the success of a new museum which celebrates Barnsley’s past, present and future.