Gloucester Culture Trust is receiving £1.5 million in funding for what it's describing as a 'transformative' three-year cultural programme for the city.
The funding is comprised of £500,000 from Arts Council England's National Lottery Place Partnerships Fund, with £450,000 from Gloucester City Council and £550,000 from other partners.
Led by Together Gloucester — a collective of partners and community organisations from across the city including Gloucester BID, The Music Works, Active Gloucestershire and the University of Gloucestershire — local residents will have the chance to co-create their vision for culture in Gloucester, with opportunities to inform decision-making.
The year-round programme, which is designed to engage new audiences with arts and heritage in Gloucester and encourage them to explore the city's unique identity, will include a Citizens Panel; talent development programmes; new funding opportunities; skills training; and a range of community-led events — with details for the first funding opportunity to be announced within the next few months.
Inclusivity and accessibility are at the heart of the project, which aims to welcome diverse perspectives and work collaboratively with residents to achieve something which works for people and nurtures local pride.
Arts Council England's south west area director, Phil Gibby, said: 'This is a welcome development for Gloucester Culture Trust — their ambitious work to engage people from all walks of life with culture is deserving of support.
'Making Gloucester a thriving city where culture plays an essential role in how we work, live and play is an aspiration we all share. By 2030 we want England to be a country in which everyone can access high-quality cultural experiences on their doorstep. Thanks to this National Lottery-supported Place Partnership award, that future looks a little closer.'
Gloucester Culture Trust CEO, Phil Hindson, continued: 'This investment is testament to the power of collective efforts in driving positive change for the city, by the city. It's a real indication of the commitment of the council and partners to work together in achieving this ambition, and it's brilliant to have this support from Arts Council England.'
Cabinet member for leisure and culture at Gloucester City Council, councillor Andy Lewis, added: 'This is exciting news for Gloucester, as a
vital part of any vibrant city is its arts and cultural sector and we are
committed to investing in the cultural life of Gloucester.
'This announcement builds on our successful levelling up bid to create an £11 million Greyfriars Quarter with a new cultural hub combined with the recent renovation of the Guildhall and ongoing improvements at Gloucester Museum. We are putting culture at the heart of the huge regeneration taking place across the city.'
