The Durham City Neighbourhood Planning Forum have been building an evidence base as to whether there is the need to improve facilities for the arts and culture within Our Neighbourhood. Results from the priority survey carried out in June/July 2015 included issues relating to the arts and culture. In addition, in August 2016, 100 new questionnaires relating just to the arts and culture and asking what was good, bad and needed to change, were distributed in the City, including all businesses with links to the arts. Of these, 28 were returned. Both these sets of results are now available: ArtSurveysResponses
People who live and work in Durham were asked ‘What needs to change in Durham regarding the artistic and cultural life of the City? Their suggestions have been organised under these headings:
- The need for community art spaces for all residents, tourists and students
- The need for exhibition spaces
- Use of existing spaces
- Events
- Need for a central information ‘hub’/ better signage
- Need for a City or County Museum / better interpretation of history of the City/ protection of historic buildings
- Impact of the University on the City
- The built environment
- The natural environment
- The need for more independent shops
- The County Council
- Community
