Throughout the centuries, arts and culture have inspired and entertained in equal measure.

North Yorkshire’s own rich history has seen a host of world-leading cultural figures emerge over the years, including Alf Wight and his much-loved novels on the fictional vet, James Herriot, and Alan Ayckbourn, the renowned playwright who was the artistic director of Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre for almost 40 years.

And now efforts are underway to inspire the next generation of artistic talent in the county, ranging from film-makers to a re-imagining of the Scarborough Fair.

Films from five internationally acclaimed artists, including Trigger Point actress Manjinder Virk, feature in a new exhibition in Harrogate.

Our Mercer Art Gallery is presenting Power and Identity, an event showcasing bold creations from female filmmakers.

The pioneering exhibition brings together the works of Jasmina Cibic, Juliana Kasumu, Michelle Williams Gamaker, Rhea Storr and Manjinder herself, whose award-winning short film is being screened at the event. It delves into powerful themes such as colonial legacies, nation-building, diaspora and the impact of war.

It is the first time the gallery has hosted such an innovative event, featuring a diverse range of video film and digital works and has been made possible by investing in more than £7,000 of new technology including a 4k projector and a 5.1 sound system.

The aim is to show this artform to a new audience in North Yorkshire, where previously they would have had to travel further afield.

Our executive member for culture and leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “Our new display space allows us to bring even more art to the county.

“This important and exciting exhibition not only highlights the extraordinary talent of these filmmakers but also showcases our commitment to fostering creativity.”

Curated by the York-based Aesthetica magazine’s director, Cherie Federico, Power and Identity offers a unique platform for these filmmakers to address complex and timely issues.

Manjinder, who starred in the ITV crime drama, Trigger Point, as well as appearing in other television series including Midsomer Murders and Hunted, said: “I am so thrilled that my new film Out of Darkness is one of five films being featured at the Mercer Art Gallery’s exciting new exhibition. For me this film resonates personally as we navigate challenging times both in the UK and abroad."

The exhibition runs until 30 September, with free admission, workshops, and community projects available.

See more information about the Mercer Art Gallery.

Meanwhile, a North Yorkshire town’s creative talent is being given more opportunity to shine thanks to the work of the council and arts and culture leaders.

Scarborough has been the focus of a number of initiatives in the past year, all with an artistic theme.

Events organised by us as part of a revamped Scarborough Fair, have attracted more than 400,000 people to date.

Among them were Scarborough Lights, which saw spectacular light displays at some of the town’s most iconic venues, Scarborough Streets, with 48 free performances, workshops and murals, and Scarborough Art and Fringe, which featured more than 100 events at 50 venues.

A new event under the Scarborough Fair banner will be staged on Saturday, 5 October.

Scarborough Extreme will be a one-day showcase of sports and activities including skateboarding, BMX and cycling, martial arts and surfing, alongside performances from local bands and musicians.

Events will take place in and around the town, and the inaugural Scarborough Extreme is aimed at supporting local groups while also acting as a preview to a larger event for next year.

Combined with the hard work and dedication of local organisations and people, they are helping to broaden the offer for visitors and residents alike and build on its reputation as a welcoming seaside resort.

Scarborough Fair festival director, Julian Caddy, said: “Over the past 10 months we have been able to help nurture and support the town’s creative economy and have been overwhelmed by the positive response from artists and audiences alike.

“We look forward to building on this in future years, both with these festivals and also Scarborough Extreme, a sports, music and dance showcase which will take place for the first time on 5 October.”

Recent developments have seen a number of demolition-threatened buildings earmarked as potential artistic spaces.

Sally Gorham, the chair of Scarborough Studios, which manages the Old Parcels Office Artspace in the town, said since it opened in 2021 more than 20,000 visitors had passed through its doors.

Last year, Scarborough Studios received £12,000 from Scarborough Fair for an arts project aimed at breathing new life into empty shops around St Helens Square and Newborough.

“Working with local artists, we opened our first two arts spaces on Newborough in the summer of 2022,” said Sally.

“Encouraged by the success of Gallery 33 and Mandy Apple we pressed on with negotiations to acquire leases on the further properties.

“We’ve now taken on the disused Shakespeare pub, the newsagents on St Helens Square and the shop around the corner on Newborough for more galleries and we are using the space above them as artists studios.

“It’s really bringing a creative buzz to this neglected area of the town and giving local artists an opportunity to showcase their work.”

Sally claimed that organisers were hoping to build on the success of Scarborough Art and Fringe next year.

“We’re already starting to plan for next year’s festival,” she said. “We are hoping to get more arts organisations in the town involved and want to encourage local cafes and hotels to partner with us to showcase work by local artists on their walls - it happens in other places so there’s no reason why we can’t make it happen in Scarborough?”

The chair of the Scarborough Town Board, David Kerfoot, added: “The Old Post Office at Scarborough Station and its reincarnation as a gallery for local artists to show their work has been inspirational with so many people passing through its door.

“Since then, several new sites have been acquired and the town has reflected its cultural and artistic drive with a new cultural strategy soon to be implemented countywide.>

“It’s so important to have that artistic desire because it can help so much with a person’s well-being as well as bring economic benefits to the town.

“It’s also key to building on the huge success of Scarborough Fair and the fringe to ensure the town maintains a creative culture for the benefit of all.”

We are currently drawing up a cultural strategy for the county, working with community organisations, partners, visitors, participants, and colleagues. Once finalised, it is set to go before councillors in October, with the aim of it being formally adopted in November.

Our executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said this demonstrates how keen the council is to support arts and culture across the county.

“The importance of creative arts to the wellbeing of residents is well-documented,” he said. “It can improve how you feel, reduce stress and is relaxing. It can also be thought provoking and challenging.

“There are also obvious economic benefits, with events such as Scarborough fair attracting people from far and wide to spend money in our communities.

“As an authority, we have a long history of providing support to initiatives such as those we have seen along the east coast this year and, in partnership with organisations with expertise in this area, we will continue to do so in the future.”