West cultural projects share slice of £23m

PROJECTS in Gloucester and Swindon are among 66 cultural initiatives across the country that will share nearly £23 million of funding to rebound from the pandemic.

Arts Council England has announced the cash grants so that organisation can transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely postpandemic, improve access, seize technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact.

Nearly £500,000 has been awarded to Swindon-based Create Studios Digital Media community interest company to support the growth of its thriving hub at Carriageworks.

Create Studios will significantly grow their creative capabilities and equip the space with state-of-the-art technologies and facilities for exhibiting, producing and training.

And £230,000 will be awarded to Gloucester Guildhall, to help deliver an exciting range of live and digital performances in this city centre venue for ‘Guildhall Galvanised’.

This investment will help invigorate the venue through the upgrading of the rehearsal and performance spaces, which will enable a step change in high quality programming across a range of genres, including music, dance, and spoken word.

Darren Henley, chief executive officer, Arts Council England, said: “World-class creativity and culture needs a resilient and sustainable infrastructure to allow it to flourish. With these investments in the buildings, equipment and digital systems of cultural organisations across England, we are helping to secure the future of that infrastructure, and making sure that people from every part of the country can continue enjoying all the benefits it delivers for years to come.”