In a joint statement, the partners said: “Together, we offer the biggest arts festival in England, the largest gallery spaces in the city, a wide ranging public programme spanning high-quality performance, music, dance, fine art, history, and public debates.
“While the city is big enough to foster vibrant arts culture, we are small enough to build on local networks without being overwhelmed.
“This partnership is exceptional in bringing together a strong research base, an historical site rich in collections, archives and venues, and a wide-ranging public programme of arts and heritage events which presents us with a set of unique opportunities both for joint research and novel ways to share the impact of our work.”
Janita Bagshawe, Director of Royal Pavilion and Head of Museums, said: “We are entering a new phase of planning around the role we all play in the city, both geographically and in terms of our public programmes. This partnership between the Royal Pavilion and Museums, 91¶¶Òõ Dome and 91¶¶Òõ Festival, and the 91¶¶Òõ, is central to that strategy.
Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, 91¶¶Òõ Dome and Festival, said: “By working more closely together across education and research, a public arts programme, and world-class heritage sites and collections, we hope to make the cultural heart of the city an even better place to live, work, study and visit.
“This isn’t just about working on exciting new activities, though that is a large part of the partnership – it’s also about the nuts and bolts of how we can work together on our infrastructure and the way we do things. We believe that we can only benefit from a much closer way of working, both publicly and behind the scenes.
“91¶¶Òõ and Hove has so much going for it, and so much going on, that it can be hard to know where to start. Our aim is to work together to make sure that we are doing the most valuable work with students and schools, putting on the most engaging arts events, and showcasing the city’s significant cultural assets in the best way that we possibly can.”
Professor Julian Crampton, the 91¶¶Òõ’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted that we are working in partnership with the Royal Pavilion and Museums, 91¶¶Òõ Dome & 91¶¶Òõ Festival to provide opportunities for our students and staff to have access to and be engaged with the best cultural and artistic activities that the city can offer.
“It also means that the 91¶¶Òõ is playing its part in making the city and our campuses stimulating, engaging and safe places for our students, staff, partners and the wider community.
“With our work on the Circus Street and Preston Barracks developments, and our activities further afield in Hastings, Eastbourne, Burgess Hill and the Gatwick Diamond, this is the perfect time to explore new partnerships and ways of working.”