The Manx public have the opportunity to help shape the future of arts, culture and recreation in the Isle of Man by taking part in a new survey.
It aims to find out more about which activities the public take part in and their views on the impact they have on their lives, such as a sense of wellbeing and identity.
The Programme for Government has a clear objective to increase cultural engagement in the Isle of Man for residents. It also has targets to leverage facilities and events to increase the number of leisure visitors and improve the Isle of Man’s reputation as a place to live and visit.
This is echoed in the Isle of Man’s National Development Strategy for Culture and the Arts, which establishes the need to find out what people want in order to inform future planning.
Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Graham Cregeen MHK, said:
'The Isle of Man’s arts, culture and recreation are vital components of the high quality of life enjoyed by our community. They are also key factors in attracting visitors and investment to the Island.
'The survey will enable us to understand and measure what facilities people are making use of and what activities they partake in and why – or not as the case may be. It also gives us the opportunity to gauge views on how important the public think arts and cultural facilities and events are.
'Through our arts and culture strategy the clear ambition is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy our culture and the arts.
'The survey will allow us to understand where we are in realising this ambition and what might need to change to ensure we can deliver. I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to complete it.'
The survey includes a wide range of questions including:
- Use of facilities such as the Villa Marina, community arts centres, parks, and art galleries etc.
- Participation in local festivals and events such as Manx LitFest and the Royal Agricultural Show
- Participation in creative activities and memberships of clubs and organisations
- Views on benefits of taking part in activities
- Take-up of and views on the importance of Manx cultural activities such as Hunt the Wren and Hop-tu-Naa.
The survey runs throughout July, closing on Tuesday 31 July. This coincides with Tynwald Day and a month-long celebration of the Island’s culture as part of the 2018 Year of Our Island project.
The survey can be accessed online. Paper copies available from reception at the Villa Marina in Douglas, Culture Vannin in St John’s and at public libraries.
The survey is being conducted by the Cabinet Office’s Economic Affairs Division. Minister of Policy and Reform, and Chair of Culture Vannin, Chris Thomas MHK, said:
'Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the arts and culture, and it is vital that policy in this area is shaped by the public.
'The Cabinet Office, Culture Vannin and the Arts Council have worked together to prepare this important survey which will provide a wealth of valuable information to help shape our arts and cultural offering and the allocation of resources.'
