Since the Creative and Cultural Development Officer joined us in May 2022, the position has fostered connections between initiatives such as Bath Bridge Arts Hub, Bath with North East Somerset One Shared Vision Creative and Cultural Strand and West of England Compound Authority Cultural Compact, created new collaborations, and gathered all to add collective value, thereby ensuring that Bath and the wider region gain the national and international recognition required to prosper.
The purpose has been to make it easier for people to access the arts for free, to secure spaces for artists to create and showcase work, and to open up access to funding. We’ve also connected freelancers and emerging small organisations with larger, established companies to support them developmentally.
To date, two new community arts spaces have been created. These support creativity in Twerton and Radstock, providing valuable resources for these communities.
The project to redevelop two long-term vacant and boarded-up shops and bring them back into use is being run on the ground by Little Lost Robot CIC in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council High Street Regeneration Team, Creativity Works and Youth Connect South West.
A local team, including Twerton residents, is leading the work to improve the spaces and make them welcoming and attractive. The project is the first step in enhancing Twerton High Street as part of the Local High Street Improvement Project.
“This space demonstrates the strong impact of arts and community engagement on the well-being of a community andoffers vital services for those in need. It enables members of each community to spend time creating together for free.” Ruby Sant
Creative Twerton is possible thanks to the support of West of England Combined Authorities Love our High Streets Fund, Community Support Fund and the High Street Recovery Fund, with in-kind support from Bath Spa University.
Bath Spa University is working with Radstock Town Council, Youth Connect South West, Bath with North East Somerset high street renewal team and Creativity Works to support the development of a new arts and community space in the centre of Radstock.
We're running outreach arts engagement projects for parents and carers to rebuild creative portfolios and support the transition into working in the arts. We're also working with 15 to 19-year-olds working through grief to co-design a large stone memorial bench.
These projects are funded by the West of England Combined Authorities (WECA) Community Support Fund.
In addition, Bath Spa University is working with Radstock Town Council to develop the business and engagement plan for Trinity Methodist Church, including bringing in Bath Spa Architecture students to create the designs.