Arts Council England to bring more cultural experiences to Gloucester by Shaun Moore | Gloucester News Centre - http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk/Arts Council England has today announced Gloucester is among 11 priority places across the South West as part of its three-year Delivery Plan to bring more cultural experiences to communities that have been underserved in the past.
The Arts Council England’s Delivery Plan for 2021-24 sets out a detailed roadmap to implement the vision of its strategy, Let’s Create: by 2030 England will be a country in which the creativity of each individual is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where everyone has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences.
The vision set out in Let’s Create offers a clear pathway to supporting communities in their recovery from the pandemic. To make it a reality, the Delivery Plan names 54 priority places across England, 11 of which are in the South West Area, where Arts Council England will focus its development time over the next three years. The Arts Council will work closely with stakeholders in these locations to develop new opportunities for increased investment in culture, both from the Arts Council and other partners.
These 11 Local Authority areas were determined through an independent assessment process in which the Arts Council considered need through a number of data sources, including the British Red Cross Covid-19 vulnerability index and the 2019 English Index of Multiple Deprivation, as well as taking into account previous investment levels, engagement with culture, and an understanding of local ambition and capacity. Each of the priority places is ambitious to drive positive change through culture.
Councillor Richard Cook, Leader, Gloucester City Council, said: “Gloucester City Council sees the potential for sustainable growth and culture-led development taking the city forward as part of its journey, not only to recovery but as a core part of its future identity. We have recently refreshed our Cultural Strategy in partnership with Gloucester Culture Trust which demonstrates our commitment to invest in culture and the arts in the city. “As a beneficiary of the Great Place scheme, we can see how sustained investment into arts and culture has lifted aspirations, instilled pride and encouraged more people to engage with cultural activity. The city values the support of the Arts Council England through the Cultural Recovery Funding and looks forward to an ongoing dialogue with ACE to help develop and deliver our future ambitions.”