What is iMayflower?

Plymouth has been awarded a grant of nearly £3.5 million from the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) to deliver the iMayflower project; one of only five projects in England and the only one in the South West.

It’s a three year project that has also raised £2.5 million of match funding from partners. The aim of CDF is to support localities to develop transformative culture-led economic growth and productivity strategies by investing in our local digital creative industries.

  

What are we doing?

iMayflower is helping Plymouth shout about its culture and creativity offer, develop a long term, sustainable legacy and provide skills and learning opportunities through events and community engagement. We are also supporting creative sector businesses to become more visible on an international stage.

The project involves working with partners across the city who are developing digital technology, such as 3-D printing, virtual reality or immersive technology to help the city expand its expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital making.

Over 200 businesses and social enterprises will benefit from support to develop new products, services, content and jobs over the next financial year, providing skills development for people from a range of communities, ages and backgrounds.

We are also helping creative organisations access much-needed finance through our partnership with Crowdfunder and Creative England.

      

Who is involved?

The iMayflower Project and has been supported by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England. iMayflower is delivered in partnership with Creative England, Crowdfunder, Destination Plymouth, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth College of Art, Real Ideas and University of Plymouth.

  

What are people saying?

Former Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright:

“This is an incredible opportunity for Plymouth to capitalise on the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower. It will help engage the local community in their shared heritage and promote the city to the world through digital technologies, making this a truly 21st century project.”

  

Professor Andrew Brewerton, Principal and Chief Executive Officer for Plymouth College of Art:

 “iMayflower gives us a real platform to deliver a programme of activity that places creative education and social justice at the heart of an ambitious project that will further increase the profile of Plymouth as a great place to live, work and one that invests in its creative communities and all important maker culture. We can’t wait to get started!”

  

Chris Bennewith, Head of the School of Art Design & Architecture at the University of Plymouth:

“The Cultural Development Fund will allow the dynamic fusion of the region’s creative talent and excellent digital resources, with existing strengths in sectors such as healthcare, marine and tourism. This will provide Plymouth with exciting and innovative means of creating new products, services and experiences vital for refreshing and adapting the local economy and continuing to improve the liveability of our city”.

  

Lindsey Hall, Founder and CEO of Real Ideas:

 “iMayflower is a major reset moment for our creative economy and the vital role innovation and the creative industries play as we tackle the pressing problems of our age. It is all about investment in our excellent creative talent; our burgeoning immersive and digital technologies; our extensive skills as makers and the enterprising, inclusive, creative ecology we are building. iMayflower will support new ideas, businesses, jobs and opportunities for young people – we are delighted to be part of it”.