The Swindon Place Partnership Programme, led by Swindon Culture Collective, officially launched in August and will begin rolling out projects before the end of the year.
The initiative is designed to boost cultural engagement, unlock creative opportunities, and support economic development by positioning Swindon as a thriving ‘festival town’.
The programme is backed by £600,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund and £312,000 from Swindon Borough Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Local partners and more than 100 artists and organisations have pledged around £770,000 in additional support.
Over the next two years, the programme will introduce new festivals and events, transform public spaces into creative hubs, and increase access to the arts across schools, communities and care settings.
It will be delivered through five key areas of work:
Promoting Swindon’s cultural identity
Expanding festivals and events
Improving access to creative spaces
Supporting talent development
Engaging local communities
Swindon Culture Collective CIC, a not-for-profit formed in 2024 from the former Magic Swindon arts network, is leading the delivery. The organisation was created to bring together local cultural groups, encourage collaboration, and drive wider participation in the arts.
Swindon Borough Council has supported the initiative by appointing a Head of Culture and working closely with the Collective to implement its vision.
Rod Hebden, Director of Swindon Culture Collective CIC, said:
“This programme is a huge step forward for Swindon’s cultural community.
“We already have a rich array of creative talent here, and now – for the first time – we’re all coming together at this scale to build pride in Swindon’s culture and give more people the chance to take part in the arts.
“By working collectively, we can achieve far more than any of us could alone.”
He added:
“I’m grateful to Arts Council England and all our partners for backing Swindon’s ambitions.
“Over the next two years, we’ll show how culture can energise our town – from new festivals and creative opportunities for residents, to a stronger identity and even economic benefits for Swindon.
“This is about making arts and culture a driving force in our town’s future, and we can’t wait to get started.”
