WILTSHIRE Creative has celebrated its official launch with the announcement of its first season programme for 2018/19.

The new organisation brings together Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury International Arts Festival and Salisbury Playhouse.

Wiltshire Creative executive director Sebastian Warrack said: “It is a journey that started over two years when the trustees of all three organisations identified a really exciting opportunity to integrate the artistic offer for Salisbury and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the three organisations. It has not always been easy road and there have been some challenges along the way.

“Here we are, we are one organisation of many parts, working in a multiple of different art forms.”

Tim Crarer, the chairman of trustees, praised the “strength of the arts” in Salisbury and the “wonderful cultural legacy” and achievements of the three organisations. He added: “It is vital that the new organisation, Wiltshire Creative, honours and continues that legacy and that is what we will be doing.

“Judge us by what we do. It is going to be an exciting journey.”

The launch on Friday heard the aim was for the city to become a “beacon and cultural hub” for the arts.

Mr Crarer said: “It is a beautiful city and has always provided a huge, wide range of cultural events and opportunities. It is central to our cultural lives here and this is the moment, particularly now in light of recent events, when it is no longer about poor old Salisbury and what has happened to it. It is about Salisbury standing up and saying we are here, look at what we can do, we have got the most amazing cultural offering.

“The intention is that we will be a beacon and a cultural hub not just for Salisbury but for Wiltshire and to the wider region. That is our aspiration.”

Mr Crarer said Wiltshire Creative was being seen as “trailblazers” and would be an example to arts organisations across the country in the future.

He explained the importance of getting the most out of the public money and grants to produce “excellent art for the community”, adding: “We need to squeeze out every penny we can for the art. The more efficient and business like we can be in the way we run the operation the better because there will be more money to produce excellent art for the community.”

He thanked Arts Council England, Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council for its funding support.

Councillor Matthew Dean, the leader of Salisbury City Council said it was committed to supporting Wiltshire Creative and maintaining its grant to the organisation at the same level it has previously for the next four years.

Wiltshire Creative’s artistic director Gareth Machin described it as a “landmark moment” with the “potential to resonate far beyond are city and our county.”