Arts and culture

We will collectively and ambitiously grow creative and cultural production, performance and presentation.

Cultural Capacity is our theme that focuses on how we will work together to support the creative and cultural sector to build on existing strengths, fortify the talent pipeline and stimulate ambition and growth.  

Creative and cultural businesses, individuals and organisations play a vital role in society, contributing to dynamic places and community resilience. It is a sector that thrives on the capacity of talented individuals and organisations. By fostering collaboration, developing talent, and harnessing digital innovations we will create a healthy ecosystem that nurtures creatives at all stages of their career.

Recognising the importance of capacity building and providing support for creatives and cultural organisations, we will equip the sector with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We will recognise the significance of mentorship and networking opportunities, connecting established artists with those just starting out, to facilitate inspiration and progression.

Thurrock’s creative and cultural sector are committed and passionate to growing our cultural potential. By investing in the sector, providing access to space, resources and opportunities, and creating a supportive and enabling environment we can build a dynamic and sustainable sector that celebrates diversity, fosters creativity, and champions cultural expression.

What’s happening now?

The bold Creative Estuary programme uses culture as a catalyst for growth, innovation and leadership and has targeted investment and support towards creatives and cultural organisations in Thurrock. Often in partnership with Thurrock Council (Economic Development), Creative Estuary has enabled Thurrock artists, producers and creative practitioners to create work, develop their practice and foster new creative networks.

Creative Estuary supported visual artist Lata Upadhyaya to co-create ‘Past, Present and Future’ with residents in Purfleet-on-Thames, capturing their memories and hopes for the future. The commission supported Lata to experiment with AR technology to locate digital artworks in a public space. The commission also enabled Lata to mentor a local emerging artist, helping to develop talent and grow creative practice in Thurrock.

Kinetika’s pioneering participation work, rooted in carnival arts, is co-created with communities in Thurrock and across the world. The company creates opportunities for Thurrock artists, volunteers and communities to design and deliver projects on their doorstep and for world class events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in central London. Kinetika’s work excites and challenges and is recognised internationally, drawing positive attention to Thurrock and raising aspiration amongst communities and creatives.

In 2023, the Thurrock Film Festival pivoted to become Thurrock Screen Culture Festival, responding to evolving digital media and expanding its international film screenings to include gaming and digital art, as well as providing a platform for young filmmakers and creatives. The festival invited audiences to join online, or in person across three sites in Grays Town Centre including South Essex College, Café Cinema and Park Cinema.

Thurrock is Royal Ballet and Opera’s second home. From its purpose-built production workshops at High House Production Park, scenery and costumes destined for the Covent Garden stage are fabricated and crafted. The production workshops also play host to Level 3 apprenticeships in costume making, scenic carpentry and metalwork, offering doorstep opportunities for Thurrock’s education leavers to access entry roles into the cultural sector.

Royal Ballet and Opera’s presence and investment in Thurrock has catalysed new activity and enterprise and drawn high-quality creatives and cultural organisations to work here. Thurrock-based Kite Spirit Textile Group emerged from a Royal Ballet and Opera supported-event and the unique Thurrock Trailblazer programme – the central pillar of Royal Ballet and Opera’s education work in Thurrock – has enabled 80 cultural organisations from across the country to work here, in our schools, supporting cultural education leadership and creative teaching and learning.

Pathways to further and higher education in creative subjects are available in Thurrock and offer unique qualifications that respond to industry needs. A one-of-its-kind degree in Costume Construction is a collaboration between Royal Ballet and Opera, South Essex College (SEC) and University of the Arts London (UAL). The SEC and UAL partnership extends to a Hair and Make Up Design for TV, film and stage qualification and a Performing Arts course that supports students to explore a range of onward employment routes into the sector. USP College in Grays provides arts and graphics students with real world experience including opportunities to work on live briefs from industry.

Established over ten years ago, Thurrock Young Producers (TYP) project has encouraged young people aged 8-25 to get involved in opportunities to gain experience in theatre event and project management. For their base in the Thameside Theatre, TYP supports members to gain practical skills and working knowledge of producing shows and an insight into the technical side of theatre including lighting, design, sound and stage management.

Thurrock is also home to Performers College, a powerhouse in the performing arts industry and springboard for performers entering the profession. From modest beginnings in Corringham (where the first cohort of students trained from a community hall), the purpose-built Performers College boasts some of the finest facilities in the country and offers multiple further and higher education accredited courses for students who come from across the world to study here.

Grass-roots organisations and alternative education settings also play their part in supporting young people to develop their creativity and routes into employment. Inspire Hub and enterprises including Quest Music and Eazee Learning provide a space for young people to hone contemporary music forms and be inspired by their peers. Evolve Youth Academy offers courses and Arts Award qualifications in podcasting, photography and videography for young people not in mainstream education.

CASE STUDY: Spotlight on K&B Designs

Data and Stats

Within the Thames Estuary region, 96% of creative business are microbusinesses and almost half creative workers are freelance.[1]

Growth in creative jobs is growing at three times the UK average[2]

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[1] More than a Place. Research report commissioned by ASELA. 2021

[2] More than a Place. Research report commissioned by ASELA. 2021