A NEW arts partnership has been launched which aims to boost jobs in the creative sector in South Ayrshire.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, Creative Scotland and South Ayrshire Council last week launched the South Ayrshire Place Partnership, a programme of activities to celebrate the cultural talent and creative diversity of the area.

The initiative is supported by Creative Scotland, South Ayrshire Council and the South Ayrshire Arts Partnership.

As part of the Place Partnership plan, around £400,000 of funding and support is helping facilitate a range of activities and events to boost the sector and put South Ayrshire on the creative map. £200,000 has come from Creative Scotland with the remainder coming from the Council and the many partners involved in the South Ayrshire Arts Partnership.

The economic benefits associated with promoting South Ayrshire’s creative sector are clear but there are other benefits too. Opening up art and culture to everyone, brings people together and removes social barriers.

Partners have been working on a plan and programme of activity for the past year that will boost the sector and put South Ayrshire on the creative map, ensuring arts and culture are accessible to all, encouraging creativity in young people and promoting South Ayrshire as a centre of creative excellence.

The South Ayrshire Arts Partnership which was set up in 2013 was key to securing Place Partnership and is keen to develop arts and cultural activities and encourage creative practitioners to set up business in South Ayrshire. This will boost jobs in the creative sector as well as attract visitors keen to view intriguing artwork, exhibitions, performances and much more.