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Surprising ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ is the first cultural strategy for the county to be developed by its cultural sector. It sets out a framework and action plan with four priorities: 

• Culture for Everyone: to increase access to culture for all, with a specific focus on reaching residents who encounter physical, social and economic barriers 
• Resilient Communities: recognising the role of creative encounters in strengthening communities and in supporting health and wellbeing programmes 
• County-wide Ecology and Infrastructure: encouraging collaborative working and ensuring that creative workspaces are integral to sustainable planning and regeneration schemes 
• Creativity as Enterprise: to nurture the creative economy in ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ by attracting new business and investment. 

Professor Caroline Scarles, Professor of Technology and Society, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Director of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, said: 

"It has been a privilege to work with the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Cultural Partnership to develop this strategy that brings together the wide range of vibrant and inspiring cultural leaders, organisations and communities across the county. It is a strategy that has the collaborative voices of the cultural sector as its very foundation. It provides the collective voice and vision for capturing the diversity, drive, and ambition of the county and recognises the central role that culture plays not only for the economy but also for inclusion, diversity, health, and wellbeing." 

¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Cultural Partnership is a collective of people working in culture and heritage in ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, along with representatives from business, education, health, criminal justice and local government, who share an ambition to champion ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ as a leading cultural county.  

Surprising ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ is the result of research and extensive consultation with the county's cultural organisations, practitioners and stakeholders over the last two years. This identified an urgent need to promote and expand culture in ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, reducing barriers and increasing investment so that many more residents and visitors are able to benefit. 

Professor Catherine McNamara, Head of School at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) at the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, said: 

"I am proud that GSA has played a role in shaping this much-needed strategy for our county. This is not only about stimulating economic and cultural prosperity for our region, but it is very much about investing in the health and wellbeing of our communities. With this new strategy, I am confident we can all ensure people from all backgrounds from within ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and beyond can enjoy the myriad of cultural experiences that it has to offer."  

Notes to editors 

• Professors Scarles and McNamara are available for interviews upon request.  
• For further press information including interviews: Tamsin Williams – tamsin@wigwampr.com - +44(0)1483 563562/+44(0)7939