Top image: Going Home from Here, an artwork by Maddi Nicholson, 2009
Photo by Maddi Nicholson

Art Gene secures £444K for Coastal Team Projects

Our recent successful application to the Coastal Communities Fund was awarded £444K to support a suite of new projects developed by our Coastal Team.

This award marks the first phase of a planned 10-year project in the area.

The Islands and Bays of Barrow and Furness Coastal Community Team, was established and is led by Art Gene with the support of local stakeholders and residents.

We continue to work in partnership with heritage, health, environmental and ecological organisations, our County and Borough councils, the business community and local people to form a new vision for our coastline. Much of this evolving vision is encapsulated in our green infrastructure place plan.

The plan details a suite of projects which will improve our green infrastructure and develop mechanisms through which our communities can become more engaged with our outstanding natural heritage assets as a means through which to improve health and well being.

One of the first of many developments funded by the grant will be the transformation of a derelict building at Sandy Gap on Walney Island into a new visitor centre and cafe with unique artist designed interpretation and facilities.

The centre will act as a base for partners including Natural England, provide employment for local people and act as a starting point for those wishing to explore the diverse offer of our peninsula.

Maddi Nicholson, 2017

The Coastal Communities Fund is said to represent the government’s commitment to improving the lives of towns and communities on the coast.

Find out more on the The Islands and Bays of Barrow Coastal Community Team here.

Want to get involved? Contact us, or sign up below for our website.

Image below: Detail from the Seldom Seen Series of Maps, by Stuart Bastik.
Published late 2016, the Morecambe Bay Seldom Seen™ Series of Maps plots the hidden assets of Morecambe Bay between the islands of Barrow and Cockerham.
(Follow the link below to to find out more).