The Cultural Engine worked with the Southend Museum Service to develop a programme of activity, exhibition and commemorative book for the Central Museum, and we produced the HLF bid which secured £90,000 in 2014.

Demonstrating our excellent understanding of how to develop local economic strategies working closely with stakeholders and communities, we have led the development of three Economic Plans for the coastal areas of Deben Peninsula, Leigh-on-Sea, and Shoeburyness. Coastal Community Teams is a national Government initiative with aim of improving collaboration and delivering solutions to local economic…

The Cultural Engine led the bidding process for Southend to become the UK City of Culture in 2017. We worked with a wide range of partners to put together a clear offer to the Government that recognises Southend’s strengths and a visitor destination (and its emerging strengths) while presenting a clear case for cultural-led regeneration…

The Cultural Engine was commissioned by Essex CC to run a year-long Cultural Commissioning Programme which recogniSed the challenges faced by arts and cultural organisations with limited funding and capacity. Through this programme, we supported many of the counties arts and cultural organisations with bid writing, strategy and business planning, problem-solving and organisational development.

The Cultural Engine provides support for this important event on Southend’s cultural calendar, working with the White Bus to secure funding from the British Film Institute each year, writing activity/summary reports and developing the festival’s strategy in promoting British independent film and filmmakers.

Working for Southend on Sea Borough Council, developing and writing a Coastal Community Fund bid to secure £1.3m to develop a range of measures which improve the coastal tourism offer in the area, including building a new lagoon between the famous Southend Pier and Three Shells Beach.

Following the restoration of Martello Tower ‘P’ in Felixstowe, Suffolk Coastal District Council commissioned the Cultural Engine to undertake an options appraisal to find a use which covered the buildings operational and overhead costs. Following a review of the seafront offer, the town and area strategies we developed a plan to use the surrounding green…

Cultural Engine have worked with Southend YMCA over the last five years, supporting them on major funding applications and development of projects and strategy.