Resonate Together is proud to announce a pivotal step forward in the county’s cultural development following the successful Place Partnership Programme gathering held last week.
The event marked the culmination of Resonate Together’s hard work in securing the National Lottery funded Creative Scotland Place Partnership award for Clackmannanshire and signals the next stage in the programme which aims to strengthen creative and cultural development across the area.
The Clackmannanshire Place Partnership will be led by Resonate Together, with Clackmannanshire Council, Clackmannanshire TSI, Creative Scotland and many local partners.
As the lead organisation for this transformative programme, Resonate Together has worked tirelessly to bring the Place Partnership Programme to the county, focusing on developing a new cultural strategy that will guide the development of cultural businesses, community engagement, and inclusive growth across Clackmannanshire.
This landmark award is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure the county’s cultural identity is strengthened, nurtured, and supported in ways that reflect the diverse and vibrant community.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in bringing this award to Clackmannanshire,” said Angela Watt, Founder and CEO of Resonate Together. “… this is about creating a sustainable, inclusive, and democratic process that empowers every voice in our community. The Place Partnership Programme is a catalyst for a new chapter in our cultural landscape, one that prioritises collaboration, creativity, and strengthening long-term cultural partners of the network.”
With Councillor Ellen Forsen, Leader of Clackmannanshire Council, in attendance in place of Keith Brown MSP, the event saw dynamic discussions about the future of cultural development in Clackmannanshire, with a focus on key areas including public sector collaboration, heritage preservation, and the role of the voluntary sector partnering business, in shaping local cultural initiatives.
Speakers shared insights and strategies to ensure that the cultural strategy aligns with the county’s unique strengths and needs, while also highlighting the importance of cross-sector partnerships in driving progress.
Anthea Coulter, Chief Officer of Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface added, “There is a breadth of exciting cultural groups already in Clackmannanshire some of which have developed out of the heritage of the areas like our local brass band, arts and storytelling groups but there are new groups and artists emerging and we want them to be able to stay and connect into a stronger fabric and network that has come together around a shared strategy for the future.”
As a result of this event, Resonate Together will bring partners together to lead the county towards a flourishing cultural future.
“We are committed to ensuring that Clackmannanshire’s cultural future is shaped by its people, with clear pathways for growth, development, and sustainable impact,” added Angela. “This award is just the beginning, and we are excited about the collaborative efforts ahead.”
Karen Dick, Head of Place, Partnerships and Communities at Creative Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Resonate and local partners to help realise their ambitions and support culture and creativity to thrive in Clackmannanshire. We hope that the Clackmannanshire Place Partnership will be a catalyst for change in the region, recognising the multiple benefits of supporting culture in communities across Scotland.”
The Place Partnership Programme will continue to unfold over the coming months, with the values of inclusivity, innovation, and cultural empowerment remaining central to the programme’s success.
Background
The Place Partnership Programme is a strategic programme designed to encourage and support local partners to work together with their creative communities and Creative Scotland. The aim is to identify collectively opportunities for development. For further information please visit: https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/place-programme
Speakers at the Place Partnership gathering on 22 November included: Councillor Ellen Forsen, Leader of Clackmannanshire Council; Donald Balsillie, Provost of Clackmannanshire Council; Karen Dick, Head of Place, Partnerships and Communities at Creative Scotland; Josh Thornhill, Operations Lead, The Conservation Volunteers for Natural Heritage, Susan Mills, Director, Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust for Built Heritage, Neil Ramsay, Business Adviser, Economic Development, Clackmannanshire Council; Anthea Coulter, Chief Officer, Clackmannanshire TSI and Angela Watt, CEO of Resonate Together.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, which, now in its 30th year, has supported over 14,600 projects with more than £501.9 million in funding through Creative Scotland and its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
About Angela Watt and Resonate Together
Angela Watt is the founder and CEO of Resonate Together, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through cultural engagement, creativity, and innovation. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and community-driven action, Angela leads initiatives that bring people together to explore their potential and create lasting social change.
Resonate Together works to create a supportive space where individuals and organizations can come together to share ideas, collaborate, and drive cultural and economic growth. Through various projects, including the 2025 Cultural Exploration Sessions, Resonate Together fosters connections that bridge cultural gaps, strengthen community identities, and promote the value of the arts in shaping a sustainable future.
For more information, visit www.resonatetogether.org.uk and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on our work.