Vision

• What stories about Buxton — its places, landscapes, people, communities, culture or heritage — feel most essential to who we are?

• What parts of Buxton’s identity are we proud of, and what aspects are not yet widely recognised but should be?

• What themes should a Town of Culture programme use to bring Buxton’s story to life (e.g., water & wellbeing, nature & geology, heritage, youth voice, creativity, resilience)?

• What kinds of creative activity would best express Buxton’s story to residents and visitors?

• What do you wish more people (locally or nationally) understood about Buxton?

• How could the programme raise Buxton’s profile — in tourism, culture, health & wellbeing, or heritage?

​

Local Needs

• What are the most pressing challenges facing people in Buxton today (e.g., health inequalities, youth opportunity, isolation, town centre vitality, transport)?

• Which groups or demographics need better opportunities to participate in culture, and why?

• How could a Town of Culture programme meaningfully respond to these challenges?

• What existing local or regional strategies should the programme build on (e.g., cultural, tourism, economic, youth, wellbeing or environmental plans)?

• How can the bid complement rather than duplicate what is already happening in Buxton and Derbyshire?

​

Empowerment

 

• Who else should we be speaking to at this early stage?

• How do you think local people want to be involved in shaping the vision?

• How can Buxton’s residents, creatives, organisations and businesses play a real role in designing the full programme?

• What decision‑making structures would help keep the community’s voice at the centre?

​

Quality and Innovation

 

• Which venues, heritage sites, outdoor spaces, festivals, and organisations should be key pillars of the programme?

• Where are the gaps in Buxton’s cultural infrastructure — and how could a Town of Culture year address them, even temporarily?

• How can the programme connect heritage with contemporary creativity?

• What types of events or creative projects should anchor the year (large‑scale spectacles, small community commissions, artist residencies, street arts, digital experiences, etc.)?

• How should different activities support and strengthen each other?

• Are there artists or collectives you feel Buxton should work with?

​

Opportunity

 

• What learning, skills‑building, or creative career opportunities would be most valuable for local people?

• How can we ensure young people feel represented and genuinely involved?

• What barriers stop people accessing cultural opportunities, and how can the programme remove them?

• What positive social changes could a Town of Culture programme help achieve in Buxton?

• How could the programme strengthen belonging, pride, wellbeing, or community connection?

​

Partnerships

 

• Which partners, local, regional, or national would strengthen Buxton’s programme?

• What kinds of collaborations (artists, festivals, universities, businesses, heritage bodies, community groups) would make the biggest impact?

• How could we involve partners early to shape ideas and share capacity?

• Which communities or demographics still need stronger representation in cultural leadership or partnership work?

• How can we make sure partnerships reflect the full diversity of Buxton’s people and voices?