Why do you think people in the South Holland and Boston areas don’t get more involved in the arts?

I think that many people do not see something called “the arts” as having anything to do with them at all, although they might go to festivals, to see a band in a pub, to the cinema or a comedy gig. The language could be alienating.

I suspect many would feel choosing to experience something they might not “understand” would not be worth the risk, especially if they had to pay for it.

I think we are short of ambassadors for the arts locally, and it is difficult for artists living locally to sustain a career, or even feel valued. We need to strive towards a higher level of activity, involving more people, so that creativity becomes more “normal” as part of people’s lives.

What do you think should happen to encourage people to get more involved in the arts locally?

Would like to see something that inspires; both bringing some high profile artists/ events to the area to kick start an interest, but also inspire and support artists who are already resident in the County, or who might move here. A critical mass of artists generating ideas is a key catalyst to putting good projects together across partners, and making something exciting happen.

What ideas do you have for exciting, innovative ways to get more people involved in the arts in the area? Please also estimate how much it might cost.

As many others have said, finding activities that really connect with people living in Boston and South Holland is going to be vital and challenging. I would love to see something connecting into the area’s skills in engineering for example. I love the idea of creating something in smaller communities, creating something that has a longer presence – a piece of public art for example, that is created with the community.

But would also like to see something “big” happen. Something to put the south Lincs area on the map, and that people could be proud of. Maybe cant run to our version of the Angel of the North – – – or could we? What about a wonderful marshland aeriel sculpture ??