ReNEW boosted by over half a million

The ReNEW project has been successful in obtaining Place Partnership funding of £550,000 from Arts Council England, using money from the National Lottery.

Rediscover North East Worcestershire (ReNEW) was the first major project launched by the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire in Autumn 2023.

ReNEW aims to get residents sharing their stories in order to creatively shape the future of the area. The project will now move into its next stage of delivery since the positive news was received about the Place Partnership Fund backing.

Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure, and Culture Services, Ruth Bamford, said: “This is fantastic news and a huge congratulations to the team. The ReNEW project being awarded over half a million pounds of funding from Arts Council England is a massive step towards being able to achieve the goals of the project. The cultural sector in Redditch is already strong and this funding will only serve to strengthen it even further.”

The Cultural Compact was officially recognised by Arts Council England in 2022. Since then, it has continued to expand its membership and champion partnership working. Partners come from a wide range of backgrounds as well as working with existing local cultural organisations.

Chair of the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire, Petro Nicolaides, said: “The ReNEW project has been hugely successful so far and this is just the next step towards fulfilling the aims of the project. I want to express my thanks to the team who wrote and submitted the applications, and all our partners who have come together to bring the vision for a connected cultural sector to life. I know this funding to support the young people and cultural organisations of the area will be put to good use and I am excited to see the creative projects which arise in the coming weeks and months.”

The funding will be used to support a wide range of programmes spanning over two years – split largely into two project areas.

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said: “It is very positive to be investing £550,000 into Bromsgrove and Redditch through our National Lottery funded, Place Partnership programme. 

“We know that creative and cultural activities can make us feel happier, and proud of the places that we live. This two-and-a-half-year project will support young people to develop creative skills and access exciting careers in the creative industries. Through partnership working with the local cultural sector, communities will have more opportunities to connect, share stories, and take part in high quality creative and cultural activities on their doorsteps.” 

Firstly, working closely with young artists, supporting them to develop new skills and potential and open increased routes into local creative industries.

The second involves bolstering existing local cultural organisations. Supporting them to expand their offerings, increase their capacity, and secure the sustainability of the local cultural sector.

The projects are both united in their aims to develop projects co-created between residents and organisations to enhance pride, bring people together, and produce economic benefits.