City Voices in Gloucester has been awarded a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The award-winning City Voices programme, which was originally established as part of Gloucester History Festival, will receive a three-year grant that will enable it to develop projects exploring and sharing Gloucester’s heritage through art, dance, theatre, music and exhibitions.
It is planning to use the grant to provide a year-round programme of community activities in the city, as well as funding and mentoring local people creating exciting events, while still continuing its involvement with Gloucester History Festival each September.
Previous City Voices projects have included creating interactive walks like its signed tour of the city; telling the story of the Windrush generation and their contribution to Gloucester’s health service; and supporting local people to share and preserve their family histories through programmes like the Black Elders Project.
MP for Gloucester and chair of Gloucester History Festival, Richard Graham, said: ‘This Lottery award is a three-year rocket boost to the exciting community-based projects that bring alive the City Voices strand of our Gloucester History Festival. A great day for pride in our city, its stories, diversity and togetherness.’
City Voices contributor, Shadowed Eyes, said: ‘Photographing the historical sites of Gloucester kept a light on for me in a world seized by anxiety and pandemic, revealing a city where history shines like the stars at night.
‘The invitation to put on the first ever exhibition of my images as part of its City Voices programme this year brings with it a new hope and great sense of purpose. I am delighted that more people like me will be able to participate in the programme.’
