AN eight-month inquiry into arts and culture across the conurbation has been launched today.

It is being part funded by the Arts Council and will include organisations such as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, Lighthouse, Local Enterprise Partnership and the three local authorities - soon to be one unitary council.

All the participants will put money into the project which will include a public consultation and a wider conversation.

Darren Henley chief executive of the Arts Council told the Daily Echo: "This is a great opportunity to talk about the possibilities for the future in what is an exciting new phase for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

"I know the area well and it already has wonderful arts and culture and digital creativity and innovation.

"This inquiry is about seeing how we can develop this, engage with more people and attract investment and visitors, while at the same time encouraging young talent to stay here."

He added: "This is about writing a script for what we might called the creative coastline."

Mr Henley said the initiative would be of huge economic benefit to the area.

Dougie Scarfe, chief executive of the BSO said the restructure of local government provided "a really great opportunity to look at the future of the arts in the conurbation."

"You only have to look at other parts of the country to see how crucial initiatives like city of culture are to the local economy, places like Hull for example.

"One of the stated reasons for J.P. Morgan moving down here a number of years ago and bringing so many jobs, was because this was an area of culture."

Mr Scarfe also referred to the growing success of the Arts by the Sea Festival and the way the BSO packs Meyrick Park each summer with the Proms in the Park festival.

He added: "This will be a wide-ranging inquiry. What could arts and culture look like here over 10 or 15 years?

"Why couldn't we be looking at bidding for city of culture status in five years time? How do we ensure that we are able to keep young people here, with all their skills which are so vital to a successful economy?"

The inquiry will be launched today at an event at Bournemouth University.