Our vision is for culture to sit at the heart of life in Wigan Borough. A thriving place for residents, communities and organisations to share and connect. Since 2019, The Fire Within (external link) has brought artists, partners and communities together to transform how culture is being experienced and delivered.
The Fire Within: The Forge 2025-2030 (external link) builds on this journey, setting out a bold, collective ambition to strengthen and expand the cultural sector. Culture enables communities to thrive by breaking down barriers and challenging inequalities. It also helps to create opportunities for all to flourish, while strengthening identity, pride and wellbeing.
Working through Wigan Borough’s Cultural Partnership, the strategy will increase participation in arts and cultural activities and embed creativity into everyday life. Alongside this, the Wigan's Creative Industries Asset Strategy (external link) ensures the right spaces, infrastructure and investments are in place. Aiming to support a growing creative economy and positioning Wigan as a regional hub for cultural production.
This strategy builds on the original The Fire Within cultural manifesto (2019-2024). Continuing its ambition to connect people, place and creativity while shaping the next phase of Wigan Borough’s cultural journey.