WE are …
• A place of wonder, possibilities and delight • A cultural, arts and heritage collective • An unforgettable world class destination that stops visitors in their tracks • Heritage sites attracting new audiences through re-imagining heritage in 21st century. GREAT PLACE
WE …
• Take risks and try new things that challenge perceptions of heritage and the North • Touch people near and far by creating opportunities beyond imagination • Connect Barnsley and Rotherham’s communities in a shared story • Enrich many lives through connecting with our past and harnessing creativity to build our future – helping our communities fulfil their potential
WE will …
• Become a destination of choice with a rich cultural offering attracting people from across the country • Inspire local people to take ownership of the place’s future and cultural offer • Make our communities proud • Help every resident to benefit from their shared heritage • Help to put Barnsley and Rotherham firmly on the international map
WE are ONE - Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar - stronger together
2 2 3 Over the next 3 years WE pledge to: • Work with the residents of Barnsley and Rotherham to support inclusive growth through better, stronger Partnership working communities • Work with the Sheffield City Region Culture, Arts and Heritage sector to support the economic prosperity for the region • Maximise the opportunities for Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar to work in partnership with Wentworth WE are the Wentworth and Elsecar Partnership Castle Gardens and Clifton Park Museum; A culture, heritage and arts partnership across Barnsley and Rotherham that has o promoting the shared heritage and offering a key Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar at its heart - inspired by the graft, creativity destination package through shared marketing and and innovation that has gone before while curating a contemporary and destination development platforms, signposting inclusive path forward. partner sites physically and digitally o delivering an annual partnership celebration project The partnership crystallised between 2017 and 2021 through action • Continue to excite through our locally distinctive place. research and learning from the WE WE Great Place programme. The partners core partners are: Wentworth Woodhouse have established a successful track Preservation Trust, Elsecar, Barnsley Museums, Rotherham record for working as one; with two Museums, Arts & Heritage, Barnsley Council and WE local authorities working together to Rotherham Council. are committed to welcoming and make imaginative, quality projects working with others who will enrich the cultural offer of happen across organisational and this incredible part of the world. administrative boundaries. Together we are investment ready. WE will build on the success of WE Great Place which has sparked new local interest in the shared story of place, stimulated an appetite for exciting, creative programmes and begun to harness the strength of place.
4 ‘ Alternative, Amazing, Inspirational. What a Wonderful day.’ Event attendee
5 WE are committed to creating a stronger identity – we will work together to create Commitment a holistic but connected visitor experience that has a clear shared WE are committed to identity and tells the connected welcoming more visitors – stories of our past, helps to build we want to reach 1.5m visitors per our future and has creativity at WE year from near and far to enjoy the heart. WE will be integral to by 2027. And we want those visitors placemaking for our area. not just to visit WE but be inspired Being part of the Great Place programme has given WE space to go on to visit Wentworth Castle and resource to experiment, try fresh approaches, take risks Gardens, Clifton Park and Museum, and, most important of all, learn. Over the last four years WE the Cooper Gallery, Cannon Hall, have brought world-class artists and performers to Barnsley Sheffield Theatres and the other and Rotherham to help tell the stories of our shared heritage, heritage, arts and culture sites our got under the skin of South Yorkshire’s past and celebrated region has to offer. what’s great about Barnsley and Rotherham. WE are committed to helping visitors see the From show-stopping festivals wonder and possibilities for audiences of thousands of our area - at least 75% WE to life-changing experiences WE are committed to of visitors to will say for individuals, WE has been championing growth that perceptions of South and will continue to put our in outdoor arts, Yorkshire have been changed wondrous heritage at the heart becoming a leader in as a result of their visit. of communities and make the outdoor arts sector change happen. respected nationally and internationally for a WE see a bold and exciting curated cultural vision. future. A future where culture, arts and heritage join forces to make positive change happen for the people of Rotherham WE are committed to and Barnsley. WE are ready to increasing investment start the next chapter in our in the WE sites and in WE are committed history with wonder, creativity the Culture, Arts and to everyone in Barnsley and community prosperity at Heritage sector of the WE area. Communities will are committed to and Rotherham the heart. WE benefit from this growth. developing Pride and benefitting from – Ownership through high Over the next decade, quality engagement every resident will benefit with young people from directly or indirectly across South Yorkshire from the heritage of WE making a new generation and WE will be able to of cultural champions. demonstrate this.
6 ‘ I wanted to create art work communally with people, and the more and more this project has gone on the community have lead me, the community have made the artwork and felt empowered.’ Artist
6 7 Across South Yorkshire, the arts, culture and heritage: • Contribute £200m to the South Yorkshire economy* • Provide 6,400 jobs • Contribute a further £170m of wider economic and social benefits including supporting tourism, creative industries, health, education, community and individual well-being. • Contribute £1.2bn to the well-being of people living in South Yorkshire.
Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar are located right at the geographical heart of South Yorkshire’s vibrant arts, culture and heritage sector.
The history and heritage of the region tells rich stories of Romans settling in the area and a bustling Medieval economy to more recent industrial heritage and today’s modern communities. All this is set in a diverse and rich natural landscape of green open spaces, farm and parkland criss-crossed by rivers and canals that have helped shape the area’s communities and economy. *This includes perf00historical sites and buildings, zoo, garden and nature reserve activities and excludes the creative industries e.g. advertising, film making, digital, sport and leisure and the night-time economies. £200m GVA is a combination of direct and indirect contribution.
8 The sites are at the heart of the It is estimated that 50,000 people historic villages of Wentworth and volunteer in the South Yorkshire arts, Elsecar which are home to around culture and heritage sector contributing 4,000 people. an estimated £50m a year in the time, enthusiasm and expertise they donate.