Gloucester Culture Trust awarded £1.5m for arts project

CEO of Gloucester Culture Trust called the opportunity a "gamechanger" for the city

A city has been awarded £1.5m to fund a "transformative" three-year cultural arts programme.

The Gloucester Culture Trust has received £500,000 from Arts Council England for the 'Together Gloucester' project, alongside £450,000 from Gloucester City Council and £550,000 from other partners.

A 'citizens' panel' will be set up to help decide how the money is spent.

Gloucester's "unique identity" will be explored in the year-round programme.

Phil Hindson, CEO of the Gloucester Culture Trust, which is a charitable organisation, said the Together Gloucester project has been "two years in the making".

"The really exciting thing is, I don't know what it's going to look like," he said.

"We want this programme to reflect the huge diversity of the city, so that people can see their experiences and their lives and what they're interested in.

"We at the culture trust know that what makes the place really unique and special is the people of Gloucester, so we'll be putting communities at the heart of cultural decision making," he added.

In 2020, the Trust commissioned a large-scale poetry installation by artist Luke Jerram called 'Of Earth and Sky'

The full public programme will include new funding opportunities, talent development programmes, community-led events and skills training, to generate career opportunities and improve the local economy.

'A thriving city'

"Gloucester is a priority place for us," added Phil Gibby, Arts Council Director for the South West.

"It's a place where historically, fewer people have been engaged with arts and culture, and Arts Council England hasn't invested as much money as it would've liked over the years.

"Making Gloucester a thriving city where culture plays an essential role in how we work, live and play is an aspiration we all share."

The first Together Gloucester funding opportunity will be announced in the next few months.