Norfolk and Suffolk Culture Board

Who they are and how they work.

Norfolk and Suffolk are home to nationally and internationally renowned festivals, theatres, artists, museums and art galleries and centres for excellence in dance, music, theatre production and writing. It is the place where world-class talent is celebrated, enjoyed, built and nurtured.

Norfolk and Suffolk has a dynamic culture board. A collaboration of culture leaders that work together to build the cultural economy in the area, increasing investment, accelerating inclusive growth, enhancing health and wellbeing, and championing sustainable development. It has a manifesto, culture drives impact and an evidence report.

The function of the culture board

Since its establishment in 2012, the Norfolk and Suffolk culture board has worked together to attract smart and impactful investment. This is evidenced by four major programmes, delivered by the board and the events held by culture groups: 

  • Look Sideways East (2014 – 2018) and Head East (2019 – 2023), a collaboration on cultural tourism programmes.
  • Collaboration: Place: Change (2019 – 2023), a Leadership Programme for senior, developing and emerging leaders in the arts and cultural sector across Norfolk and Suffolk.
  • Mapping Creative Health in Norfolk and Suffolk (January 2023 – April 2024) a review and development plan for Creative Health in the region
  • StartEast (2016 – 2019), the pioneering cultural enterprise programme with a final evaluation being produced by Norfolk County Council in 2020.

The board holds events for people working in the culture sector to meet and plan together.

All board opportunities are shared through the Norfolk Arts Forum and Suffolk Culture Network.

For more information and to get involved, email arts@suffolk.gov.uk.