South West Spotlight: Gloucester
Last week (Thursday 2 December) our CEO, Darren Henley and South West Area Director Phil Gibby, spent the day in Gloucester to meet some of the creatives, arts organisations and community leaders who are leading the way for culture, and to learn more about Gloucester’s ambitions for the future.
Arts Council recently announced Gloucester as one of its eleven priorities places across the South West as part of our Delivery Plan for Let’s Create where we’ll be focussing our development time and encouraging new cultural opportunities over the next three years. During the visit, Arts Council learnt more about this playful and evolving city, directly from the people who are helping to shape its cultural identity for the next generation.
Darren Henley catching up with GL4, Strike a Light and Culture Matson at Matson Library in Gloucester. Image courtesy Gloucestershire Gateway Trust. Photo by Rebecca Boseley
First stop: Creative conversations at Matson Library
The visit started at the recently renovated Matson Library, where Darren caught up with local organisations: Strike A Light, one of our National Portfolio organisations who bring multi-artform events into unconventional spaces across the city; the grassroots organisation GL4 CIC who bring arts experiences to people living in Matson housing estate through live events, youth participation and community engagement; and members from the Culture Matson consortium – a collective of organisations trying to bring positive cultural and creative change in Matson.
“It’s great that Darren came to Matson to see how much cultural activity is going on in the community here” said Sarah O’Donnell and Naomi Draper, Directors at GL4.
Arts Council Relationship Manager Anneliese Slader and Sarah O’Donnell from GL4 at Matson Library. Image courtesy Gloucestershire Gateway Trust. Photo by Rebecca Boseley
Second stop: Transforming Gloucester city centre
Moving into the city centre, Darren explored a venue that has benefitted from the Government’s lifeline Culture Recovery Fund, Gloucester Guildhall. This unprecedented fund has meant organisations like the Guildhall will survive the pandemic and be here for generations to come, with over £723,000 invested in the city to date.
The team took a whistle stop tour through the historic high street to learn more about the Council’s plans to transform the Cathedral Quarter. They also heard The University of Gloucestershire’s ambitious plans to transform the former empty Debenhams building into a thriving city centre campus and library.
Jack Wimperis’ Scintillating Birch forest at Gloucester Guildhall © Morwenna Fuge
Third stop: Ending with a bang at Kings House
On the final stop, attention shifted towards the present, and to the people bringing energy into Kings House. This newly occupied space in the heart of the centre is home to artists and creative entrepreneurs at Jolt – which offers studio spaces and a dedicated centre for collaborative creative working at affordable rates – something that graduates, and young people now have on their doorstep, as opposed to seeking out opportunities from other cities.
Darren and Phil meeting artists and staff at Jolt. Image courtesy Gloucester Culture Trust
On the floor above, The Music Works showed the team around their brand-new music hub, which opened earlier this year thanks to funding from the Culture Recovery Fund, our small scale Capital fund, and with a £100,000 grant through our National Lottery Project Grants programme.
The Music Works specialise in working with young creatives to help them reach their full potential through music and learning. This was evident when members of the inspiring young team shared their experiences with the Arts Council team. The state-of-the-art facilities will improve access and progression routes for over 7,000 young people a year with professional studios, a sensory music space and a learning pod.
“It was great to be back in Gloucester” said Darren Henley “and we’re looking forward to playing our part in investing in the city to help to realise its enormous cultural potential… With creative people at its heart, I believe that Gloucester will blossom over the coming years.”
Darren banging the drum for Gloucester at The Music Works’ new hub. Photo by LaSalo Elia @lasalophotography
Looking ahead at Gloucester’s cultural vision
As part of the Arts Council’s visit, the first of many over the next three years, Gloucester City Council and Gloucester Culture Trust shared findings from a consultation with local people regarding the city’s cultural future. Insights like this will be key in agreeing a set of shared objectives with the Arts Council as part of Gloucester’s priority place status.
“The visit was just the start of a journey” said Adam Jay Coleman, Gloucester Culture Trust’s Chief Executive “and we look forward to working with Arts Council England, the City Council and others to make change happen in the coming years and get more money into the pockets of artists and producers making work with – and for – the people of Gloucester.”
Reflections on Twitter from @philgibby:
