Cheltenham launches collaborative cultural strategy

Cultural organisations from across Cheltenham have agreed on a new collaborative cultural strategy that will see them working together to build on the town’s creative reputation.

The strategy, produced by Cheltenham Cultural Board, aims to facilitate greater collaboration between the town’s heritage, cultural and digital sectors and to improve access and inclusion in the town.

The local council has invested over £1.9m in culture and creativity in Cheltenham, allocating £1,725 per year to support the activities of seven local cultural organisations. 

Additional one-off community grants totalling £190,000 have been allocated to 35 specific cultural projects and a further sum of £132,0000 has been earmarked from developer contributions to support public art in the town.

An action plan sets out how the council and its partners can improve the local cultural offer to make the most of national and international opportunities. 

It includes commitments to work collectively to explore funding and planning options for Cheltenham's Holst 150th celebrations next year, as well as working to improve the accessibility and inclusion of cultural events and engaging the wider community in planning through a public meeting.

“Culture and creativity are the lifeblood of our town and our investment in the sector is currently worth more than £1.9m,” said Councillor Max Wilkinson, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeing.

“This new strategy is the work of so many partners. It is already bringing organisations together and will further build our credentials as a truly innovative creative place,” he added.

Ali Mawle, Chair of Cheltenham Culture Board and co-CEO of Cheltenham Festivals, said that now that the strategy has been agreed “the board are creating an action plan which captures both the work that is underway and the future steps to delivering the strategic objectives”.