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.
We are launching the Culture Strategy with the event 'Culture Shock' on 11 April 2025 at The Goods Shed in Stroud.
During the day, attendees will investigate the powerful role culture, art and creativity, can play in bringing about real and meaningful change to our communities across the Stroud district. It’s an opportunity to engage in creative thinking, of reimagining, of shifting perspectives about how we can all connect as diverse communities across the Stroud district through taking culture and creativity seriously as powerful tools for change.
Following the launch event cultural hub meetings will be taking place around the district. These hub events will be asking our residents to showcase what we are doing, sharing ideas and looking at projects and design, to make the best use of and amplify resources.
You do not need to be an artist or a creator to attend - but the hub events will be bringing together those how are invested in bring change through creativity and culture.
Notes of the launch event and details of the cultural hub 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