LeftCoast Season Brochure 2014

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2014

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CONTENTS

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p3 WELCOME TO LEFTCOAST

p4 PROJECTS AND COMMISSIONS

p24 AMAZING PLACES

p32 CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

p40 GET INVOLVED

p45 MEET THE TEAM

p46 KEEP IN THE LEFTCOAST LOOP

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WELCOME TO LEFTCOASTLeftCoast is a new programme of arts and cultural activity in Blackpool and Wyre. We believe that arts and culture can be at the heart of healthy, happy and creative communities. We’ll be collaborating with Blackpool and Wyre residents, organisations and some of the world’s best artists and performers to develop a variety of art based projects for people to get involved with - everything from our creative gardening project, Growing People, to a new Fleetwood based arts festival, SpareParts.

We’ll also be supporting the development of home grown artistic talent and strengthening the emerging creative scene through our self-directed learning programme, LeftCoast Express, our monthly creative conversation, Golden Section, and our open commissions scheme, Future Popular.

We can’t do this without help. LeftCoast is developing a pool of volunteers to be committed and passionate advocates for the role arts and culture can play in everyone’s lives. These volunteers will be our LeftCoast Envoys and they will be a critical part of making a difference to their own communities.

LeftCoast’s major funder is Arts Council England as part of its national pioneering Creative People and Places programme. It is also being supported and delivered by an innovative public and private partnership including Blackpool Coastal Housing, Blackpool Council, Wyre Council, The Grand Theatre Blackpool and Merlin Entertainments (The Blackpool Tower).

We hope you will want to get involved in this transformative programme or work as a partner, supporter, artist or volunteer. Some of the projects in this brochure are already underway – for others, we are seeking new partners to help us develop them. Want to make a difference to Blackpool and Wyre? Then get in touch.

Michael Trainor and Julia TurpinArtistic and Executive Directors

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PROJECTS &COMMISSIONS

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5 5The Pansy Project Pride Commission © Paul Harfleet

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LeftCoast is committed to supporting existing organisations to develop their capacity to incorporate arts and cultural activity as part of what they do. SpareParts is a new transport inspired arts festival taking place in Fleetwood this summer. Developed in conjunction with Fleetwood’s world famous festival of transport (Tram Sunday), the programme is designed to capture the imagination and engage new audiences in this already well-established event.

Imagine a day with performers on trams, crazy vehicles to transport you to the future, junk yard bands, pop up stages, the strangest parade you will ever see and dancing mechanical diggers on the beach… that day is SpareParts. With over twenty different artists and companies, audiences will enjoy everything from classic trams, vintage buses, bikes that make paintings to a whole house built in a wheel.

SpareParts takes place Sunday 20 July 2014 from 12 noon at various locations around Fleetwood. For more information visit www.leftcoast.org.uk or www.tramsunday.co.uk

FREE

Created in partnership with Fleetwood Festival of Transport and Wyre Council

SPAREPARTS

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7 7Traction © Motionhouse

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LeftCoast is committed to creatively engaging communities in Blackpool and Wyre, inviting them to help shape pioneering arts and cultural opportunities.

Growing People is LeftCoast’s large scale creativity and growing programme designed to get local communities thinking differently about their green spaces while working with artists to explore all that growing, cooking and eating can offer.

Over the summer artist collectives Squash Nutrition and Avant Gardening will be working across Blackpool Coastal Housing’s Grange Park and Mereside Estates to develop exciting projects with residents that transform their green spaces.

In Grange Park Squash will be setting up a summer camp with food related activities such as camp kitchen and outdoor cooking, forage workshops, wild food and green crafts. In Mereside Avant Gardening will be bringing their “Project Deep Freeze,” an ingenious ice cream making machine which local residents can use to create their own flavours while exploring the green spaces of their estate.

Other projects include working along Central Drive with local residents and resident association, and a specially themed Growing People resident artist at the Mount in Fleetwood.

For more information about Growing People contact Kerenza McClarnan, Creative Engagement Manager at [email protected]

Created in partnership with Blackpool Coastal Housing and Wyre Council.

GROWING PEOPLE

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9 9Mereside Estate © Michael Trainor

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BLAM!

The Grand Theatre Blackpool and LeftCoast want to attract new audiences to the threatre, particularly those who live on the Fylde Coast. As part of an exciting new partnership between LeftCoast and the Grand Theatre, BLAM! will be coming to town in August this year to draw in new audiences who perhaps believe that the theatre isn’t for them.

“Just seen BLAM! the show. One of the greatest, most exciting & brilliant shows I have ever seen. Honestly.”Ricky Gervais

This international sensation was the hit of last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has been drawing packed houses and standing ovations from delighted crowds all over Europe. With a mix of comedy, narrative theatre, acrobatics and daring physical stunts - this will be the only UK performance of BLAM! in 2014.

Based on a normal day in the office, four ingenious office workers escape their tedious 9-to-5 jobs and invent BLAM! – an imaginary game where ordinary life is put through the shredder. With neck-breaking stunts, breathtaking physical feats, exhilarating parkour and heaps of attitude, BLAM! takes you on an extraordinary riotous adventure.

BLAM! comes to the Grand Theatre 20 – 31 August 2014. There is a special discount for Blackpool and Wyre residents courtesy of LeftCoast. Group discounts also available. For more information visit www.blamblackpool.co.uk

Presented in partnership with the Grand Theatre, Blackpool.10

11 11Photo © Søren Meisner

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AS THE WORLD TIPPEDLeftCoast wants to bring some of the world’s leading artists to Blackpool and Wyre so audiences can experience high quality art right on their doorstep. As the World Tipped was created by Nigel Jamieson, Director of the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics and internationally touring aerial performance specialists Wired Aerial Theatre.

Combining dramatic film and visuals with breath-taking aerial performance, As The World Tipped confronts one of the most pressing issues for the planet with spectacle, humour and emotion. At the Secretariat of the Copenhagen Climate Change conference, harassed staff fail to notice as the world around them, literally and metaphorically, slides toward disaster.Suspended above the audience in the night sky, the performers struggle to control their increasingly precarious world as they do battle with the effects of drastic environmental catastrophe.

Don’t miss this ambitious and extraordinary piece of aerial theatre that also has an important message.

As the World Tipped has been created by Wired Aerial Theatre as a Without Walls Commission. LeftCoast is a partner in the Without Walls Associate Touring Network.

As the World Tipped takes place Friday 26 and Saturday 27 September at Blackpool Cricket Club. For more information or to book free tickets visit www.leftcoast.org.uk

FREE

Presented in partnership with the Without Walls Associated Touring Network and Blackpool Cricket Club.12

13 13As the World Tipped © Wired Aerial Theatre

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LUMIDOGS & RIDE THE LIGHTSThe Illuminations are world famous and bring millions of people to visit Blackpool each year. They are an important part of people’s perceptions of the town. This year LeftCoast is inviting local residents to take centre stage and be part of the lights with two new bright opportunities.

LumiDogsWith an abundance of two things in Blackpool: lights (one million lamps in the illuminations alone) and pet dogs, we’ve decided to combine them to create the first ever LumiDogs parade. A unique opportunity for residents to put their star pet centre stage and explore their creativity in a series of FREE workshops, led by specialist artists, in which they will design and make wearable illuminations for their dogs. Workshop participants will take part in a special night time LumiDog fashion parade on the promenade. The most innovative and creative LumiDog design will be crowned the LumiDog Champion 2014 in a ceremony on the night.

Light Cycles (Ride the Lights 2014)As part of Ride the Lights 2014, LeftCoast brings you the chance to reclaim the streets with style and glow while you go.The popular Ride the Lights sees Blackpool promenade closed for a sneak preview of the illuminations for 1000’s of admirers on two wheels. This year, for the first time, we are running FREE workshops in advance for riders to customise their bikes with lights and reflectors, so that you can actually be part of the spectacle. Everyone attending the workshops will be part of an en-masse Light Cycle group on the night.

LumiDogs and Light Cycles workshops take place throughout July, August and September. Ride the Lights takes place on Tuesday 26 August 2014. For more information and for workshop details visit www.leftcoast.org.uk or email [email protected]

FREE

Developed in partnership with Blackpool Council’s Illuminations Department.

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15 15Ride the Lights © visitBlackpool

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TAKE THE FLOORThe week after the BBC’s Strictly heat is broadcast to 10.5 million people from Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the world famous dance floor returns to the relaxed refinement of the afternoon tea dance as it has for the last 120 years –but not this year. This year LeftCoast is inviting you to perform.

Take the Floor gives everyone their moment in the spotlight as LeftCoast offers 5 minute slots in a continuous dance performance that might last anything from 24hrs to 3 days.

The open application system gives the opportunity for individuals or groups to apply to perform in any dance style with the highest quality production values and staging – it’s dance democracy! An endurance test for audiences rather than dancers as the performances segues from spinning B-boys to professional ballroom via pogoing to the pistols or pirouetting from a prima ballerina.

Peppered throughout will be longer performances and special guest appearances by professional dance companies inviting the audience to dance along with them.

Did we mention Morning Disco? Take the Floor also introduces the concept of morning disco with breakfast cocktails for people on their way to work to supercharge their day with Donna Summer.

For more information or to register your interest in performing at Take the Floor email [email protected]

Presented in partnership with the Blackpool Tower (Merlin Entertainments).1616

17 17Take the Floor © Michael Trainor

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“If we fail to offer our young people the opportunity to participate in the arts and culture, then we fail to support them in becoming the leading thinkers, innovators, creative business and community leaders of the future.”Lord Puttnam, Chair of the Cultural Learning Alliance

LeftCoast believes that every child and young person should have the opportunity to participate in exceptional arts and cultural experiences regardless of their geographic, social or economic background. In 2014 we are piloting range of new activities which include the following:

• A new pop up theatre company called Promenart for young people over summer 2014. A week’s intensive performance summer camp for up to 40 participants will lead to a performance of Jim Cartwright’s National Theatre Connections play, Mobile Phone Show.

• A new developmental arts space, artist residency and workshop programme at the Mount in Fleetwood.

• Free training for Arts Award assessors. • Helping to develop a culture hub for young people

at The Oracle.

With support from the Creative Employment Programme, LeftCoast will also be supporting the creation of nine new apprenticeships and internships across four arts and cultural organisations across Blackpool and Wyre.

For more information about our young people’s activities visit www.leftcoast.org.uk. If you would like to discuss an opportunity to develop a partnership with LeftCoast contact Julia Turpin, Executive Director at [email protected]

Developed in partnership with Blackpool Arts Service, Promenart and Wyre Council.

YOUNG PEOPLE

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19 19Promenart © Julie Corcoran

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LeftCoast is dedicated to developing new audiences and working with event providers to add to their existing offer to residents. This year we worked with Blackpool Pride Festival to add a contemporary art and archive exhibition to this well established celebration of LGBT culture in Blackpool.

The exhibition was curated by Garth Gratrix and featured new commissions from LGBT artists Paul Harfleet, Jez Dolan and Harry Clayton-Wright. Situated in the Victorian splendour of the Derham Lounge in Blackpool Winter Gardens, “we’re here…” ran for a week around the Blackpool Pride Festival weekend and attracted over 600 visitors with some from as far afield as Germany and Holland.

Many of the visitors left moving comments about their feelings and thoughts about the work:

“Insightful and thought provoking exhibition, see how far we have come and so many of us didn’t even expect to be alive to see it.” Mike, Blackpool

“Thank you so much, the displays moved me to tears. Well done!” Bob, Staffordshire

“Great to see so many local people and stories recognised. I love the idea of art being included in Pride as it recognises we all have different interests. Let’s see more, year on year. Let’s celebrate Blackpool differently.” Anonymous

We are seeking companies and organisations that might like to work with us to make next year’s event even bigger and better.

*Full names for quotes not given as permission to publish was not requested.

Created in partnership with Blackpool Pride Festival

PRIDE

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21 21Steven Roy Gratrix and son Garth © Claire Griffiths

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Save Our Stories (S.O.S) is a new storytelling and creative writing adventure for Blackpool and Wyre. Inspired by Dave Eggers’ internationally successful story centre in San Francisco, the aim is to create an amazing and magical space for immersive storytelling and creative writing for children, young people, their families, carers and teachers.

The S.O.S base will be on the high street accessed through an extraordinary themed shop which will support its work through the sale of all kinds of wonderful things inspired by stories. S.O.S will not be confined to four walls, it is a storytelling experience that can visit schools, libraries, public spaces, children’s centres, fairs, galas and events. The project will have the S.O.S craft, a magical and artist designed transporter that will bring the wonder of stories out and about across the Fylde Coast and beyond.

S.O.S’s patron is Joe Delaney, Lancashire based bestselling author of the “Spooks” books, published in 24 countries; Universal Studios are due to release the movie version of “Seventh Son” this year.

Investment and support for Save Our Stories will help our children and future generations find these answers through their own storytelling journeys.

For more information about Save Our Stories or to find out how you can help contact [email protected]

Created in partnership with Blackpool Council’s Arts Service.

SAVE OURSTORIES

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AMAZINGPLACES

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25 25Photo © Claire Griffiths

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LeftCoast is looking to acquire one of Blackpool’s 4000 bed and breakfasts to be refurbished as a fully functioning hotel with artist designed rooms, space for talks and small scale performances. Art Bed and Breakfast is an exciting innovation for increasing access to the arts for the people of Blackpool and Wyre by putting creative ideas into the physical infrastructure of the town.

As well as providing accommodation for paying guests to enhance their experience of exploring the best of arts and culture on offer on the Fylde Coast, it will also become a temporary home for visiting artists of all types to make new work while they are here. A B&B will further be an opportunity to create new jobs in the creative economy across the Fylde Coast and help generate income to support future LeftCoast activities.

If you are interested in helping to develop this exciting initiative, please contact Michael Trainor, Artistic Director at [email protected]

A B&B

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LeftCoast is very excited to announce that we will be working in partnership with Wyre Council to develop the Mount Pavilion in Fleetwood as a ‘pop up’ arts space, running a continuous programme of art residencies and free weekly workshops for the whole community.

The Mount Pavilion is undoubtedly one of Fleetwood’s most recognisable and well-loved icons and a prime location for bringing artistic practice to the heart of the town. LeftCoast will programme up to four artists in residence a year with free workshops covering all forms of artistic practice taking place every Saturday from September. The space will also be available for local groups to use to host meetings or cultural events.

LeftCoast inaugural artist in residence in August will be More Music from Morecambe, who will bring the Mount to life with music, song and sonic experimentation. More Music, are leaders in delivering collaborative music projects to communities. As part of their residency, Artist Director Pete Moser will revisit his project, 24hrs in a Tower, where he composes and performs one original song every hour for 24 hours.

For more information about upcoming workshops and residencies taking place at The Mount Pavilion visit www.leftcoast.org.uk or contact Kerenza McClarnan, Creative Engagement Manager at [email protected]

THE MOUNT

Created in partnership with Wyre Borough Council.28

29 29More Music at Mount Pavilion © Michael Trainor

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Abingdon St. Studios is a brand new initiative to develop much needed artists’ studios in the middle of Blackpool.

LeftCoast wants to supporting existing artists and attract new ones to live and work in Blackpool. Artists frequently play a vital role in animating and enlivening our town centres, acting as a catalyst for regeneration. Studios are important both as an art production space and as a generator of new ideas and collaborations.

The Abingdon St. Studios are directly above the market in Blackpool town centre and will provide space for between six and eight artists’ studios plus a new exhibition/project space.

The studios together with the Art Bed & Breakfast and The Mount in Fleetwood will provide a vital incubator role retaining early career artists from Blackpool and the Fylde College. The will also support artists already practising here as well as housing visiting creatives to produce new work.

For more information about Abingdon St. Studios visit www.leftcoast.org.uk or contact Garth Gratrix, Places Project Manager on [email protected]

ABINGDON ST STUDIOS

Developed in partnership with Blackpool Council’s Economic Development and Arts Service.30

31 31Abingdon St. Market © Michael Trainor

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CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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33 33The Waste Makers © Claire Griffiths

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n. The Golden Section is a ratio used frequently in the arts and architecture but which actually derives from nature. It is often thought to represent ‘perfect proportions’ and can be seen in everything from Georgian windows to A4 paper.

Golden Section is LeftCoast’s monthly creative conversation, where we host inspirational speakers to provoke new ways of thinking about arts and culture and to share experiences about how they started out.

Golden Section has been instrumental in bringing creative thinkers to Blackpool and Wyre to share their experience and inspire a new generation of cultural leaders.

Past speakers have included: Liz Pugh the Founder and Producer of Walk the Plank (and recent cultural consultant for the British Council in the Ukraine), and Tristan Sharp from site responsive theatre company DreamThinkSpeak.

Future Programme includes:

July Kevin Finnan, Motionhouse Dance CompanyAugust Kristján Ingimarsson, Creator of BLAM!September Pete Moser, Director of More Music in MorecambeOctober Pete Higgin, Enrichment Director at Punchdrunk

For more information about Golden Section or to view the full programme visit www.leftcoast.org.uk. If you would be interested in hosting a discussion where you are contact Kerenza McClarnan, Creative Engagement Manager at [email protected]

FREE

GOLDEN SECTION

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LeftCoast Express is a self-directed learning programme for established artists and small organisations across Blackpool and Wyre, to encourage personal development of their art form through experiencing new work or meeting different practitioners from other parts of the country.

“The Leftcoast Express bursary has enabled me to develop opportunities for commissions, educational projects and exhibitions.This activity has involved travel to arts and cultural organisations both in the local area and around the UK, where I have both promoted and evaluated my work through meetings and networking events. This has resulted in new working relationships and has strengthened those I have been fostering for many years.”Lisa Wigham – The Two a.m. Press

The programme invites applications to develop a learning journey that includes ‘go-sees’, mentoring opportunities, secondments and short training courses or seminars. We offer financial support including travel and accommodation costs and ask participants to feedback their learning via their Facebook page or at our monthly Golden Section creative conversation programme.

LeftCoast Express is fundamental in broadening the horizons of creative practitioners who often need to be exposed to new and challenging work and experience different contexts to develop and inspire new work.

For more information on how to apply for LeftCoast Express visit www.leftcoast.org.uk. If you’d like to discuss your idea with the team before you apply contact us at [email protected]

LEFTCOASTEXPRESS

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Future Popular is LeftCoast’s open commissions scheme for developing new work that makes a difference. LeftCoast is inviting artists from Blackpool and Wyre to help us find new audiences by creating projects that explore the space between art, popular culture and entertainment. Commissions of up to £5,000 are available to develop brilliant ideas over a six month period.

Through the Future Popular commissions we are seeking ambitious ways for artists to create a collaboration and conversation with the people who live, work and study here. Our main criteria has been that the project needs to engage with a minimum of 50 people who don’t think necessarily the arts is for them.

This year’s inaugural scheme was launched in February where nine successful projects were selected; Adrian Pritchard, Aunty Social, Dead Good Poets, FY Westcoast, Harry Clayton-Wright, Robin Ross, Squirrel and Tiffin, Supercollider Contemporary Art Projects and Urban Dance Project.

Through this scheme artists receive support from LeftCoast in refining their ideas from conception to delivery, support with marketing and press plus other development opportunities.

The second round of Future Popular is launched from 7 July, to start in September 2014. The scheme is open to individual artists, arts organisations or organisations that wish to engage artists to deliver a project with them.

For more information on how to apply for Future Popular visit www.leftcoast.org.uk. If you’d like to discuss your idea with the team before you apply contact us at [email protected]

FUTUREPOPULAR

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GET INVOLVED

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Envoys are LeftCoast’s volunteers and are key to supporting the work that we will do over the coming years. Our Envoys are advocates for the role arts and culture can play in communities. We need them to help us to inspire more people to engage with creative activity in Blackpool and Wyre.

There are a wide range of roles for Envoys and no previous arts experience is required. Whether it is supporting an artist with an installation or the production of their work, using social media to share in real time about arts or cultural activities or helping the LeftCoast team distribute promotional material around their communities, there are lots of ways to get involved.

“For me becoming an Envoy for LeftCoast has been a very exciting opportunity. It enables me to promote amazing artistic talent across the Blackpool community, instil passion into new audiences and engage with people on a personal level.” Victoria Judge

We’ll be rewarding our envoys by giving them access to preview work before it opens to the public and opportunities for their own personal development. They’ll also have the chance to network and make new friends, plus they’ll get their hands on one of our special LeftCoast T-Shirts.

We want to invite everyone to be part of our Envoy programme and have roles to suit a variety of lifestyles. For more information about beginning your Envoy experience today visit www.leftcoast.org.uk

ENVOYS

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PARTNERSHIPS &SPONSORSHIP

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LeftCoast is an important and strategic investment programme with potential to make a huge difference to people living in Blackpool and Wyre. It is a time limited investment and we need to work in partnership with committed organisations and individuals to create ongoing sustainability. Inspired by our innovative public/private consortium steering group, everything we are doing is being created in collaboration with an organisation, funder, venue or company. We want to grow this network of collaborators to make LeftCoast’s impact even more significant and enduring.

We believe that everyone has the right to experience high quality arts and cultural activity where they live. We also know that arts and culture can be the catalyst that helps drive economic regeneration and growth. The creative sector currently provides jobs for 2.5 million people, more than in financial services, advanced manufacturing or construction (Nesta 2013). Exposure, particularly at an early age to arts and cultural activity also increases an individual’s educational attainment, employability and participation in society through volunteering and voting (Case for Cultural Learning)

We are currently working in partnership with the following organisations, funders, supporters and companies and are extremely grateful for their ongoing support, investment and commitment. We’d really like to help arts and culture reach more people by working with new partners. If you’d like to get help contact Julia Turpin, Executive Director at [email protected]

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MEET THE TEAMThe LeftCoast team bring a vast range of knowledge and experience from established national arts organisations to delivery of community engaged artistic practise. They work across the private, voluntary and public sectors to bring the highest quality arts and cultural experiences to the people of Blackpool and Wyre.

The team is made up of…

Michael Trainor, Artistic [email protected]

Julia Turpin, Executive [email protected]

Kerenza McClarnan, Creative Engagement [email protected]

Duncan Hodgson, Marketing & Audience Development [email protected]

Sophie Fuce, Project [email protected]

45Photo © Claire Griffiths

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There are loads of way to keep up with the exciting and engaging activities of LeftCoast.

You can… Visit our website at www.leftcoast.org.uk Like us on Facebook at www.fb.com/LeftCoastUK Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LeftCoastUK If you need to get in touch with us you can also… Call the office on 01253 477973 Email us at [email protected] If you feel like seeing us face to face you can pop into the office at… LeftCoast Unit 4 81 Church Street Blackpool FY1 1HU

KEEP IN THELEFTCOAST LOOP

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LeftCoastUnit 481 Church StreetBlackpoolFY1 1HU

leftcoast.org.uk @LeftCoastUK

/LeftCoastUK

Photo © Claire Griffiths

LeftCoast Season Brochure 2014

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