Culture
Stroud district is an incredibly creative place with a unique character and we want to harness our existing strengths and create a route map to help create a place where people feel confident and able to engage with cultural activities.
We want opportunities and growth, through cultural activity, to strengthen communities, economic development and health and wellbeing.
Following the Stroud Council Plan a Cultural Strategy has been produced for the Stroud district. We consulted with community groups and arts & culture organisations in 2023 & 2024, and the Strategy was approved in autumn 2024. The Strategy gives an overview of the strong and dynamic cultural landscape in our district, as well as its challenges and opportunities for growth. It sets out the need to invest and support access and reach new audiences and to raise the profile and importance for wellbeing economic growth and stronger communities.
It provides six sets of recommendations, which identify specific themes for development and support;
- Creativity, Climate and Nature
- Communication and Connecting
- Economy and Regeneration
- Future Generations
- Community and Wellbeing
- Heritage and Place
We have set aside some money to fund cultural activity, but the Cultural Strategy is, more than anything else, a commitment for collaboration and co-production across sectors and organisations - to encourage, support and enable the whole district to maximise its potential. It’s a long-term approach.
On 11 April, Stroud Valley Artspace hosted the ‘Culture Shock’ symposium, which showcased some really exciting examples of how art and culture can impact on communities, health and wellbeing and economic development. The Panel would like this event to be a springboard for supporting and encouraging cultural activity across all parts of the district. If you weren’t able to attend the event, or if you would like to view / share the talks, the full playlist is available on Youtube.
Following the success of Culture Shock we are developing a series of events as part of a programme of 'Culture in Communities' work which will take place around the district. Details of this work and future events will be made available on this page shortly.
We are in the process of setting up a mailing list for those interested in getting involved or staying informed on our work on culture. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, or if you have any questions please contact culture@stroud.gov.uk