Why Counting Culture, Why Now?

As part of the Counting Culture campaign, we’re bringing together voices from across Essex’s creative and cultural sector—but this piece sets out why the campaign exists in the first place. Julia Payne, Founding Director of the hub, co-founder of Made in Essex and co-lead of the Counting Culture campaign, reflects on a pivotal moment of change for the region. With new political structures on the horizon, including a Mayor for Greater Essex and the move to larger unitary authorities, Julia outlines the opportunity this presents—and why the sector must come together now to make a clear, collective case for investment, impact and ambition.

So why has Made Essex developed the Counting Culture campaign, and why are we doing it now?

Politics is changing in Greater Essex, and from 2028 two things will be different. Firstly, we'll have a new Mayor for Greater Essex who'll have a strategic responsibility and a budget for Culture and the Creative Industries. And secondly, our existing County, District, City, Unitary councils are being replaced by five larger unitary councils.

Now, both these changes create an opportunity for our sector, for the creative and cultural sector in Greater Essex. But to take advantage of that opportunity, we need to do two things. Firstly, we need to make the case to these policymakers why it's smart to invest in our sector.

We know we're great, but we need to make the case to them. And secondly, we need to communicate really clearly where that investment would make most sense and where it would have the most impact.

And that's where accounting culture comes in. For the first time ever, we're creating an independent, sector-led statement about our value and bringing people together from across the sector to articulate how we can have an even greater impact across Greater Essex. Now, we all know that we are stronger together, and now is a real moment for our sector, a moment to come together and a moment to make our voice heard.

If this resonates, now’s the moment to speak up.
Made in Essex is creating a Prospectus to put the creative sector’s priorities in front of Greater Essex’s new political leaders this July.

‍So — what needs to be counted?
Where could investment make the biggest difference to the creative and cultural sector—and the communities it serves?

‍No idea is too big or too small.
Whether you have 1 idea or 10, tell us what you want to see happen.

There’s noright way to respond.
Send bullet points. Record a quick selfie video. Snap a photo of a scribbled note. Write a song. Write a poem. However you want to do it, add your voice here: madeinessex.org.uk/take-part

‍Counting Culture is open until 24 May.
Have your say. If you work in Greater Essex’s creative sector, this is your chance to help shape a future where culture is recognised and supported as a vital part of our commmunity.o

‍With thanks to Julia Payne, co-founder of Made in Essex and co-lead of the Counting Culture campaign, for setting out the vision behind this work.