Local communities, arts organisations and artists along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site are set to benefit from the award of a £150,000 grant from Arts Council England to support a coast-wide programme of arts and culture.

The grant, which has been awarded to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team, has come through the Grants for the Arts scheme, and will be used to build a programme of arts and cultural events along the 95-mile length of the World Heritage coastline over the next three years.

It will assist with the implementation of the Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy (published in 2005) through the appointment of an Arts Coordinator to work alongside colleagues in the World Heritage Site Team.   Match-funding and in-kind support has also been committed from a range of partners including Dorset and Devon County Councils, and West Dorset and Purbeck District Councils.

A series of linked themes will be launched this spring around which local communities, arts organisations and artists will be encouraged to construct projects and events relating to interpretation of this globally significant coastline.

Jurassic Coast Team Leader Dr Sam Rose said: "This fantastic news represents the culmination of three years hard work developing what we think is the very first arts programme for any of the Earth's 166 natural World Heritage Sites.  We hope that communities along the Jurassic Coast will see the benefits of this investment from Arts Council England as we start work on project delivery over the next three years."

Chair of the Creative Coast Group Sue Kay adds:  "It's great news for artists and arts organisations in Dorset and East Devon. With the Cultural Olympiad just around the corner, these are exciting times for everyone involved in the cultural industries locally. Our next task is to build the partnerships which can take forward our chosen themes and turn them into innovative and original events."

Nick Capaldi, Executive Director for Arts Council England, South West, said " we are delighted to support this ambitious programme. The Jurassic Coast is such an inspirational setting and where the eyes of the world will be upon us during the Olympics. The award provides a tremendous opportunity to develop world class arts that will reach out and inspire residents and visitors, helping them to understand and value this most important site."

Further information contact: Sam Rose, Team Leader, WHS Jurassic Coast Team.

Tel 01305 228656     sam.rose@dorsetcc.gov.uk