Art leaders have welcomed news that the Reimagine Redditch Partnership has received £852,000 from the Arts Council England as part of its £38.3m investment in Creative People and Places over the next three years.

Chief Executive Officer of BARN Gary Roskell said: This funding will give local communities in Redditch new opportunities to engage in a whole host of creative activities, which they will help to design & deliver.

“The programme, with its initial funding and the support of local partners, will provide the foundations for a long-term approach which ensures that creativity is embedded in the life of the town, reflecting the town’s industrial heritage.”

The Council’s portfolio holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Joanne Beecham, said: “Reimagine Redditch is a three-year participation campaign which now has the funding to make even more creative activities happen, in partnership with communities, starting next year.

“It provides a blank canvass for our residents to get creative and to help the Redditch bounce back from Covid, and we were delighted to play our part in the process which has led to this successful outcome.

“I hope as many of our residents as possible take time to join in with these amazing activities, which also celebrate the borough’s 100 different languages, to help us to reimagine Redditch’s Cultural footprint.”

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director, Arts Council England said: “Arts, culture and creativity make the places we live vibrant, exciting and inspiring, benefiting our wellbeing and helping to boost local economies.

“We are pleased to welcome the Reimagine Redditch Consortium to our Creative People and Places programme. This National Lottery investment will support the team to achieve their vision for arts and culture in Worcestershire and ensure more people in Redditch can experience, connect with and take part in creativity in their communities.”