ARTS funding to the tune of £800,000 has been awarded to Worcester.
The Arts Council England cash will be used to support initiatives based around developing and sustaining local creative talent across the city.
Over the next two to three years, this will see festivals being created with members of the local community, as well as structured programmes of skills development for young people to help enhance their career prospects.
Supported by the National Lottery-funded Place Partnership programme, the aim is to secure a step change in Worcester’s cultural offer.
For a number of organisations in the city, it builds on successful partnership working over the past few years, including through the Arches programme, Worcester Mela, and the new Scala Arts Centre.
The successful bid for Arts Council funding was led by a consortium of organisations – Worcester City Council, Severn Arts, Worcester University, Worcester Mela, Scala Arts Centre, Heart of Worcestershire College and Worcester Community Trust.
They are part of the wider Worcester Cultural Compact, a partnership that encourages connectivity across the cultural sector of the city.
The project will deliver activities with arts, education, health and charitable organisations in neighbourhoods across the city, as well as in the emerging creative quarter in the city centre, based around the Arches, the new Scala Worcester arts centre and Angel Place.
David Blake, the city council’s managing director, said: “Worcester has a rapidly developing creative sector and we are grateful that the Arts Council has recognised the potential that is being unlocked in our city and awarded this funding to help us and our partners to bring even more cultural success to our city.
“It is essential that people across the city get the opportunity to shape creative experiences that feel relevant to them, as well as specifically supporting young people with their skills and career development.
“Importantly, this project will see more high-quality festivals and events for everyone taking place around the Arches, Scala Worcester and Angel Place, alongside greater celebration of the South Asian culture in our city.”
Peter Knott from Arts Council England added: “We know the positive impact that cultural investment has on places, such as regeneration, growth, employment and happiness, so we’re thrilled that the people in Worcester will have more opportunities to experience, connect and take part in creative and cultural activities on their own doorsteps.”
