A Grantham group has been awarded £90,000 to deliver a new programme of cultural activity as part a project to boost the local shopping areas.
SKDC’s economic growth and regeneration company InvestSK secured the grant from Historic England for its High Street Heritage Action Zone work which will run through to January 2024.
The award is part of a total £7.25m for cultural programming from Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. It is shared between the 68 Action Zone projects in a national programme of cultural activity to celebrate the history of town centres.
Grantham’s activity will be run by a local cultural consortium made up of Grantham Community Heritage Association, Grantham Dramatic Society, Grantham Arts, Chantry Dance Company, St Wulfram’s Church and The National Trust.
Grantham: Arts & Exploration will include a mix of cultural activity such as drama, dance, ceramics, fine art, craft, exhibitions and installations.
Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, said: “I’m thrilled our bid for this new cultural programme has been successful, and delighted it brings the total of funding recently secured to enhance Grantham’s heritage to more than £966,000.
“The Arts & Exploration programme will bring the town centre to life, celebrating Grantham’s rich and varied heritage while also looking to its future. There will be lots of opportunities for people of all ages and interests to get involved, with all activities delivered free to participants and audiences.
“Bringing together a local network of talented creatives and heritage organisations – and supporting the creation of arts and cultural hubs and resources – the project will ignite a lasting legacy which will continue to develop Grantham’s cultural offer in years to come.”
In addition, Grantham has been named as a venue for High Street Sound Walks part of Historic England’s programme of commissioned art pieces to celebrate the history of the high street.
Artist Sandra Kazlaukaite will incorporate a collage of aural histories, archives and local residents’ memories to tell a story about the histories of Grantham high street. It will explore how the space of socialising and cultural exchange has transformed over time and will question what has been forgotten during the process of change.
She will work with local artist and producer Emilie Nunn to create the sound walk which will be available during the Heritage Open Day festival in September.
Speaking on behalf of the cultural consortium, Paul Chantry, director at Chantry Dance Company, said: “The Cultural Consortium will shine a light on the hidden heritage gems of Grantham, whether it’s architecture, art, music, or tales of the past. We hope everyone will be inspired, made curious, excited and proud of this fantastic town they call home.”
Eilis Scott, acting Regional Director Historic England Midlands, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink in the Midlands. As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”
To find out more about the High Street Heritage Action Zone and the new cultural programme, contact InvestSK by emailing heritage@investsk.co.uk or calling 01476 406374.
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