AN innovative large-scale creative project with almost 800 activities helped get more than 2,400 people involved in the arts in Inverclyde. 

The success of Inverclyde Culture Collective was highlighted at a meeting of the council's communities committee. 

The collective saw the council working with CVS Inverclyde, RIG Arts, the Beacon Arts Centre and Inverclyde Youth Theatre to deliver 32 projects across the area, which created 116 freelance opportunities for artists over three years. 

The council-led project brought in £473,000 from Creative Scotland which was used over three years, before it came to an end in August. 

A total of 2,456 people got involved with the programme across 791 sessions, supported by 56 community organisations.

Activities included the Creative Minds festival at the Beacon and circus, clowning and puppetry workshops through Kayos Youth Theatre. 

Councillor Natasha McGuire praised the work of the collective and asked about plans to build on it.

Ruth Binks, the council's director for education and communities, explained that the collective would amalgamate into the community planning partnership Inverclyde Alliance.

Officials say it's hoped that the 'local arts ecosystem established through Inverclyde Culture Collective will be strong enough to be self-sustaining beyond the funded period'.