An Arts Council England-funded two-year programme has been launched in Worcester with the aim of growing the city's cultural.

Titled Local Voices, Creative Choices, the programme will includes arts projects, festivals and new opportunities involving artists, emerging creatives, communities and FE and HE students.

Eight city partners are coming together to make tangible benefits for communities, emerging artists and audiences. The project has three elements:

• Produce a thriving new creative quarter around the Arches, Angel Place and Scala

• Present inspirational festivals with the input of communities across Worcester. A new, city-wide approach to commissioning arts professionals is being developed, and locally distinctive festival events are being created in collaboration with communities across Worcester

• Support a skills and talent development programme for students and emerging creatives and artists. New opportunities for learning and networking are being made for students in Further and Higher Education as well as early career artists, with the goal of retaining more young people working in creative industries in the city.

The programme runs from autumn 2025 until September 2027. To find out more, visit the website at severnarts.org.uk