University of Bedfordshire and Arts Council England strengthen partnership to support culture, skills and regional growth

The University of Bedfordshire and Arts Council England have launched a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), building on a decade of strategic partnership to strengthen cultural opportunity, creative skills and the contribution of culture to people and places.

Launched at the University’s Bedford campus on 23 October, the agreement reinforces the University’s civic role in bringing together education, research, communities, cultural organisations and industry to support inclusive growth across Bedfordshire and beyond.

The MoU formalises the partnership around three priorities:

1.    Skills: strengthening accessible routes from schools, colleges, adult learning and community settings into creative education and employment.

2.    Cultural ecology growth: connecting cultural organisations, practitioners, communities, education providers and civic partners to support a resilient and inclusive cultural sector.

3.    Environment and sustainability: supporting sustainable creative practice through research, training, evaluation and collaboration.

The partnership began through the Arts Council England-funded Luton Investment Programme a decade ago. Since then, the University has worked with cultural partners to build skills, share knowledge and strengthen connections across culture, health, education, business and the wider third sector.

The agreement comes at a significant moment for Bedfordshire, with the planned Universal Studios development bringing major investment and new cultural and tourism infrastructure to the region. Opportunities will extend across creative production, digital innovation, business, hospitality and the wider visitor economy.

Celebrations to mark the University’s 20th anniversary on Thursday 22 October also brought together partners from Arts Council England, Universal, local authorities and other organisations, reflecting a shared ambition to strengthen the region’s cultural and creative sector and ensure communities benefit from future opportunities.

Working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), local authorities, education providers, employers and cultural partners, the University will help connect skills and talent pathways, contribute research and evaluation expertise, and ensure community perspectives inform discussions about the development’s long-term benefits.

Professor Deborah Johnston, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, said: “As a civic university, we have a responsibility to work alongside our communities and partners to shape the future of our region. Our partnership with Arts Council England, strengthened through this agreement, reflects our shared commitment to making culture more accessible, developing creative skills and supporting a thriving, inclusive cultural sector.

“By bringing together education, research, cultural organisations and communities, we can build on the strengths of our region and create more opportunities for people to participate, develop their talents and progress into creative careers. As significant investment brings new opportunities to Bedfordshire, this partnership will be important in ensuring that culture and creativity contribute to lasting benefits for our communities.”

Claudia West, Director, Cambridge at Arts Council England, said: “It is exciting to keep building on a decade of partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and reaffirm our shared commitment to culture as a force for inclusive growth. The University plays an important role in connecting communities, cultural organisations and industry, and working together, we can ensure more people across Bedfordshire and beyond benefit from the cultural opportunities and investment coming to the region.”

The MoU supports the University’s People, Place, Purpose: Community Engagement Strategy 2026–2030 and its Civic Agreements with Luton and Bedford Borough councils, providing a foundation for collaboration on education, culture, wellbeing and inclusive growth.

Emma Gill, Head of Culture and Community Engagement at the University of Bedfordshire, added: “Over the past decade, our relationship with Arts Council England has grown through a shared commitment to people and place, and a belief in what culture can make possible. Our work focuses on building capacity, helping people and organisations develop skills, connect with others and turn ideas into action. We are committed to a civic model that brings together education, culture, business, government and communities around shared local priorities.

“By working collaboratively, we can strengthen connections, unlock opportunities and deliver greater impact for the places we serve. With significant investment coming into Bedfordshire and our population continuing to grow, we need to connect existing strengths with emerging opportunities. Our civic partnerships help us bring people together, understand where support is needed and work towards a future that local communities can shape and benefit from.”