Soft Machines by Ivan Morison with Heather Peak, commissioned by Brighton Festival 2026. Photo Brighton Pictures
Arts, culture and heritage are the infrastructure that shapes our places, connects our communities and drives long‑term economic and social value in Sussex.
As the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority takes on new responsibilities for growth, transport and place, culture is one of its most effective enablers of delivery. It already employs over 22,000 people, underpins a significant contribution to £5.3 billion visitor economy, and generates around £200 million a year in health, wellbeing and productivity benefits. Culture strengthens town centres, boosts skills, supports healthier communities and makes places more attractive for investment.
Culture is not separate from the Authority’s agenda — it enables and accelerates it:
Creating distinctive, investable places
Animating town centres and high streets
Improving health and wellbeing through participation and prevention
Developing skills and future talent, especially for young people
Driving inclusive, sustainable growth across communities
A strong cultural ecosystem is also the foundation of Sussex’s creative economy - one of the fastest‑growing sectors in the UK, with creative jobs expanding four times faster than the wider economy. Cultural learning boosts attainment and long‑term outcomes, and Sussex’s cultural organisations, universities and colleges are already delivering this pipeline.
Lewes Depot is an award-winning independent cinema, bar and kitchen.
Culture is Sussex’s superpower - the spark, the spine and the storyteller of our region.
We propose the creation of a Culture Director within the SBSA.
A senior role that can:
Align culture with economic development, transport, planning, health and place‑making priorities
Lead the development and delivery of a Sussex‑wide cultural strategy
Provide strategic leadership for investment, partnerships and delivery to realise inclusive growth, economic and social prosperity, and skills ambitions
Connect and influence partners across local government, public health, the NHS, education and the cultural sector
Ensure culture contributes directly to skills, health, wellbeing and community outcomes
Champion the sector as a driver of growth, innovation and civic pride
Articulate the distinctive cultural and creative voice of Sussex to help realise innovation, economic opportunity and social prosperity
Partner with culture, and you gain a sector that powers growth, sparks skills and strengthens community connection — nurturing the confidence, creativity and life chances of children and young people across Sussex. A Culture Director would ensure these benefits are embedded across the Authority's priorities and delivered at scale for communities across the region.
