ReNEW Launches in style

Yesterday, Bromsgrove District Council were pleased to support the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire in launching their first major creative project: ReNEW.

Held at Rubicon’s Boathouse Café at Arrow Valley Country Park, the event brought together partners, community members, young people, local arts organisations, and representatives from Arts Council England to celebrate the official start of this ambitious new chapter.

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Leisure and Culture, Cllr. Shirley Webb, said: “ReNEW marks a real step forward for creativity in North‑East Worcestershire. By listening to residents and working closely with our partners, we’re creating a programme that is welcoming, ambitious, and rooted in local stories. This launch was just the beginning - the coming months and years will see new ideas take shape, talent emerge, and our creative sector strengthened in a meaningful way.”

ReNEW: Sharing Stories, Shaping Futures is a major new creative skills and capacity-building programme specifically designed for North-East Worcestershire.

The Country Park provided the perfect backdrop for a vibrant youth-led performance created by Highly Sprung Performance in partnership with select local schools: HoW College, Waseley Hills School, Arrow Vale, and Chadsgrove School. Offering delegates an exciting glimpse of the type of creative activity residents can look forward to as the project unfolds.

Chair of the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire, Petro Nicolaides, said: “It was inspiring to see so many partners, performers and community members come together for the launch of ReNEW. This programme is built on collaboration and on the belief that everyone’s story matters. Yesterday’s event reflected that spirit beautifully. We’re proud to champion a project that will build skills, confidence and connection across our area.”

ReNEW aims to reduce barriers to involvement with creative activity, responding directly to feedback from residents who want more informal, welcoming, and accessible creative spaces – places where creativity can become part of daily life.

The launch event marked a promising beginning, reflecting a strong commitment to partnership working, amplifying diverse voices, and making creativity fun and accessible for everyone over the next 18 months and beyond.

Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, Liz Johnson, said: “We’re proud to invest £550,000 into Bromsgrove and Redditch through our National Lottery funded, Place Partnership programme. Creativity and culture make us feel happier, and proud of the places that we live. This project is rooted in local identity. It will bring communities together, and give young people opportunities to learn new skills through training, mentorship and practical industry experience. As well as giving young people a strong foundation for pursuing future opportunities in the creative and cultural sector, it will make a long-term difference to people living in the area.”

Applications are now open for the three opportunities that make up the Sharing Stories strand of the programme: Awe & Wander, Gateway to Nature, and Wagons Roll. Each one catering to a specific art form: digital, visual, and performing, respectively, these projects represent a chance for young people and artists to work together to create engaging and meaningful outcomes.

ReNEW is also currently seeking young people aged 16–25 to join its Creative Producers scheme - an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience, collaborate with professional artists, and build new skills and confidence.

More information about the project, tender opportunities, and the Creative Producers programme can be found at: https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/renew/