Policy
Preserving Our Past, Powering Our Future. Heritage, Arts & Culture on the Isle of Man
I sometimes feel that our history is forgotten, underneath our feet there is a story that is yet to be told.
We must champion our unique heritage and creative economy. In the UK, creative
industries contribute over £120 billion annually (Source: UK DCMS Sector Economic
Estimates). By comparison, official Manx economic data shows that our catering,
entertainment, and cultural services currently account for around 0.9% of local GDP, with
the broader tourist and visitor economy delivering £47.8 million in local income (Source:
Statistics Isle of Man, Isle of Man in Numbers / National Income Accounts).
We can significantly expand our local creative economy, support Manx language education, aiming for 5,000 speakers by 2032 with fixed Year 7 and 8 curriculum lessons—protect
our UNESCO Biosphere, and invest in Celtic and Viking heritage tourism to showcase our
Island’s distinct identity and drive economic growth. I sometimes feel that our history is
forgotten, underneath our feet there is a story that is yet to be told.
We have something truly special here on the Island, but for too long, our culture and heritage have been treated as nice-to-haves rather than the economic powerhouses they actually are. My goal is simple: protect what makes us unique, support our local creative talent, and build a year-round heritage economy that works for our local businesses and communities.
Unlocking the Untold Celtic Story Under Our Feet Beneath our fields and footpaths lies an incredible, untapped history that goes far beyond the headline Viking narrative. From ancient keeills and carved crosses to deep-rooted Celtic folklore, there is an entire untold story right under our feet. I want to build on the “Story of Mann” concept across the Island, expanding archaeological heritage trails and bringing modern storytelling techniques into our historic sites. Connecting these hidden gems into accessible regional routes gives locals and visitors alike a chance to experience the living history of Mann where it actually happened.
Sustainable Heritage & Year-Round Tourism Being the world’s only whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a massive badge of honour, but we need to back it up with real investment. We ought to be looking after our historic railways, coastal routes, and ancient sites so they can thrive year-round. Instead of relying purely on a short summer season, we should be building off-peak events and cultural walks that draw people in all year long, ensuring tourist spending reaches right into our southern towns and local spots.
A Dedicated National Centre for the Arts It is time we gave our creative community the flagship home it deserves. I want to see us establish a dedicated National Centre for the Arts—a central hub functioning much like a national gallery. This would give us a permanent venue to showcase brilliant local visual artists, display our historic national collections, and host major visiting exhibitions. Beyond being a great draw for visitors, it would provide shared studio space, performance workshops, and educational facilities to support local artists at every stage of their careers.
Championing Manx Language & Our Unique Story Our Gaelic heritage, traditional music, and storytelling are what set us apart from anywhere else in the British Isles. We need to keep backing language revival and grassroots projects, celebrating Blein ny Gaelgey and capturing our history, like preserving traditional field names, so our culture stays alive and central to everyday Island life. It gives our young people a strong sense of identity and offers visitors an authentic experience they cannot get anywhere else.
Growing Grassroots Arts & Local Talent The creative sector, from painters and musicians to traditional crafters and digital designers, is a real economic driver, not just a side project. We need to make arts funding simpler to access, open up more community spaces, and build clear paths for our creative professionals to build sustainable careers right here at home. Embedding local craftsmanship and public art into our town regeneration plans brings pride back to our streets while giving local talent the work they deserve.