£1.3m programme launched to promote Swindon’s arts and culture
The money will be spent over two years
More than 100 local artists and organisations have launched a £1.3m programme to promote arts and culture in Swindon over the next two years.
The new not-for-profit organisation Swindon Culture Collective has already secured £600,000 in funding from Arts Council England.
Its aim is to establish Swindon as a festival town as well as to open up new opportunities and progression paths for people wanting to develop their creativity.
Dr Rod Hebden, Director of Swindon Culture Collective, told Greatest Hits Radio: “Swindon has got this kind of weird self-image problem and there's still a bit of an image problem out in the wider world and it's entirely unjustified.
“So for us, there's a huge amount in that about just being proud in where we are and what we've got here and having a sort of pride in place and we really want to put that pride back into people.”
Swindon Culture Collective will also be receiving support from several local partners in the form of cash and in-kind contributions, including £312,000 from Swindon Borough Council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Among the group’s plans for the next two years are an annual conference and the mapping out of talent and progression pathways.
'The start of a journey'
They are also looking to make it easier for smaller organisations to turn around projects by not having to apply for grants but instead being able to access Swindon Culture Collective’s funds which will in turn make collaborations between local projects and institutions easier.
Even though the scheme is currently set to run for two years, Dr Hebden said the goal is to leave a “legacy”.
“What we don't want to do is have a two-year project, which then ends and lots of amazing activity then kind of falls off a cliff.
“The plan for this and why we set up this Swindon Culture Creative organisation is so there'll be legacy.
“So, we want more organisations, whether it's companies or other organisations who have a vested interest in Swindon, to start speaking to us now, so that when we get to the end of those two years, we can make sure we have a viable, sustainable organisation that can be promoting and supporting arts and culture well into the future.
“These two years shouldn't be a kind of a big hit and then it disappears. This is the start of a journey.”
In the meantime, Swindon Borough Council has also appointed a new Head of Culture, Heritage, Arts and Special Events.
Since the authority is one of the programme’s partner, Kate Wyatt will be working with Swindon Culture Collective to provide strategic input.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “This is an exciting day for Swindon. We have a thriving and impressive art community in the town, with a breadth of talent, artforms and events that never fails to inspire me.
“As a council we are committed to the life-enhancing power of art, and we also recognise the important role the cultural industries can play in regeneration and economic growth. We have therefore appointed our first ever Head of Culture, Heritage, Arts and Special Events, Kate Wyatt, to lead our work on making Swindon a thriving cultural hub. I look forward to working with Kate and our wonderful partners as we embark on this important journey.”
Phil Gibby, Arts Council England’s Area Director for the South West, added: “We're proud to award £600,000 in Place Partnership funding to Swindon Culture Collective, marking a pivotal moment in the town’s cultural journey.
“This investment reflects the shared ambition of local artists, organisations and communities to build an inclusive, creative offer and I’m especially pleased to see the council appoint a new Head of Culture, sure to galvanise the local sector and further establish Swindon as one of the country’s leading centres for innovation and inclusion.
“It’s thanks to public funding, we’re able to support bold, strategic projects like this — helping to transform public spaces, improve wellbeing, develop local talent, and open up accessible opportunities for all. I look forward to hearing about the positive benefits this programme brings residents and businesses for many years to come.”