UCLan and Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire to launch Creative Commonwealth Association
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire have announced plans to establish the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association, celebrating the county’s links with the 56 Commonwealth member states.
Based at UCLan, the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association will focus on the creative output of Commonwealth partners with links to Lancashire, highlighting lifelong learning and active citizenship as well as looking at the arts, history, health and science.
It will work closely with the University’s Creative Communities Group, with Group chair Russell Hogarth also acting as chair for the new Association.
Russell, who is an Honorary Fellow of UCLan, said: “The Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association, working in partnership with the UCLan Creative Communities Group, firmly believes in the power of partnerships and how working together can transform communities.
"... we can focus on education, health and wellbeing, science and innovation, climate change, visual and performing arts, creative writing and heritage programmes, social inclusion, charity work and great stories to inspire others to make a difference."
— Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association chair Russell Hogarth
“With the support of the EU award-winning Creative Communities Group, which has more than 400 members nationally and internationally, we can focus on education, health and wellbeing, science and innovation, climate change, visual and performing arts, creative writing and heritage programmes, social inclusion, charity work and great stories to inspire others to make a difference.”
The Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association will be one of the last initiatives launched during Lord Charles Shuttleworth’s tenure as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire before he hands over to Amanda Parker after 26 years of service.
Lord Shuttleworth, who will sit as Patron of the Association, said: “Lancashire has a long and proud heritage closely connected to the Commonwealth and the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association will help to build on this legacy and help to nurture future partnerships.
“Working with our international UCLan Creative Communities Group, the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association gives us a unique opportunity to connect with over two billion people around the world.”
"Working with our international UCLan Creative Communities Group, the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association gives us a unique opportunity to connect with over two billion people around the world.”"
— Lord Shuttleworth, who will sit as Patron of the Association
Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, Chair National Forum for Health and Wellbeing, will be the Association’s Director for Health and Wellbeing and Gulab Singh MBE, Deputy Lieutenant in Lancashire, has been appointed Director for Culture and Creativity.
“The Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association provides a brilliant platform for the Commonwealth global community to share its values, culture and diversity” Gulab said.
“Globally, the Commonwealth have the opportunity to tackle the challenges we face in the 21st century, including poverty, social justice and climate change; and celebrate our cultures as citizens through art, social inclusiveness and wellbeing.”
The current High Sheriff of Lancashire, David Taylor CBE, has lent his support to the new Association. He said: “’I was honoured to serve as a member of the Manchester Commonwealth Games Board, which as well as a world class sports event had a wonderful arts and culture program. I fully support this new and pioneering initiative as chair of the UCLan Board and High Sheriff of Lancashire.”
"This is a really exciting opportunity for our students to connect to the community in new ways ..."
— The Dean of the School of Arts and Media at UCLan Peter Lloyd
Students from the UCLan School of Arts and Media have been tasked with designing the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association logo, which will be unveiled in the autumn.
The Dean of the School of Arts and Media at UCLan, Peter Lloyd, added: “This is a really exciting opportunity for our students to connect to the community in new ways and hopefully work with organisations around the world on projects that have a positive impact on everyone involved.”
People can follow the Lancashire Creative Commonwealth Association’s progress on Twitter @LanCommonwealth For more information about the new Association email Russell Hogarth.