Have your say: Arts & Culture Strategy for Stratford-upon-Avon Town

The consultation is now open to have your say on a new Arts and Culture Strategy for Stratford-upon-Avon.

On behalf of the Town Centre Strategic Partnership Group, a team including Escape Arts, The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon BID, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Stratford Library, Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, Stratford Town Trust and Warwickshire County Council, are creating an Arts and Culture Strategy for the town.

As part of this work they want to hear a wide cross section of views, to make sure people who live, work and visit have the opportunity to take part and help shape the future for arts and culture in the town. This work is part of a broader review of the town.

To start the process, work began to map what activity was happening and future aspirations across the town. In June, the team held a workshop with 72 local, regional and national creative, civic, and community organisations represented focusing on what the vision and ambition for arts and culture was in the town.

The questions and findings from this event have now been developed into an online questionnaire for residents, young people, artists and businesses.

Have your say
The team is seeking views and invite you to complete the survey, which can be answered in 5/10 minutes.
The consultation is now live: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/arts-culture-strategy/
The consultation runs from 1^st November to 30 November.

Sara Aspley, Chief Executive of Stratford Town Trust said: "The Town Centre Strategic Partnership is a joint working group represented by key town partners to develop a comprehensive, inclusive and joined-up strategy for the town centre. 

"In 2023 we ran a number of workshops to determine the key priorities for Stratford-upon-Avon, one of which is the development of an Arts and Culture Strategy. 

"Working as a cross organisational group on behalf of the Town Centre Strategic Partnership, Escape Arts, The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon BID, Stratford Town Trust, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Stratford Library, Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, and Warwickshire County Council, are leading the work on the Arts and Culture Strategy. 

"It's important we ensure this is a grass roots strategy, built with the people who live in, use and visit the town.  The workshop in June asking people to define the vision and ambition for arts and culture in the town, represented by 72 organisations was a great start to that conversation, which this online consultation will build on. 

"I do hope as many people as possible will take part in the survey, to help shape the future of arts and culture for Stratford-upon-Avon town."

Once the consultation has taken place the data will be collated into a report, which will be used to develop the strategy. 

The consultation is available at: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/arts-culture-strategy/
and is split into different groups:

• Residents: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/artsresidents
• Artists: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/artartists
• Young People: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/artyoungpeople
• Businesses: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/artbusinesses

For those who require an alternative format, paper copies and support will be available at Elizabeth House and Stratford-upon-Avon Library.