As we make moves to ease out of lock-down, Gloucester Culture Trust (GCT) is hoping that the funding will help the city's lockdown legacy to be one of creativity.

Having launched the 2020 Creation Fund through Gloucester's latest creative organisation Jolt, GCT have now announced the eight new projects which will run across the city.

The Creation Fund has provided opportunity for artists, in a time where the creative industries stand in the face of uncertainty; inclusion for members of the public, as many of the projects invite city residents to contribute to the finished pieces; and celebration for our key workers, who are featured in at least two of the projects.

"It is vitally important that Gloucester's lockdown legacy is creativity," said Hollie Smith Charles of GCT.

"Creativity gives people freedom to express themselves at what has been a really difficult time and can positively impact on mental health. It provides enjoyment for people as they start to see these new projects crop up around the city and they enable us to reflect and remember the iconic times that we have all experienced together, despite being kept apart."

The eight funded projects include a series of short films featuring NHS workers, creatives and community builders from artist Barney Witts from Fluxx Films, as well as a new postcard gallery by artist Rob Mackie, who invites people from care homes to design their own postcards ready to be photographed and turned into digital images for an exhibition so that the residents can see their work as part of something much larger.

It also includes 200 creative art kits, which are being provided to the community in Linden with special instructions about how to turn their windows into an exhibition space.

Funded by Gloucester City Council and delivered through Jolt, Gloucester Culture Trust said that it was determined to keep the city's creative pulse alive despite lockdown limitations.

"We are delighted to be able to continue our financial support to this excellent initiative by Gloucester Culture Trust," said Steve Morgan, Gloucester City Council cabinet member for culture and leisure.

"The current lockdown situation has had a huge effect on the creative artists in our community and this is a welcome way to encourage them and also help ease the financial burden. Gloucester has a thriving cultural sector and we want to play our part in continuing to see it grow and flourish."

Another successful project was Natasha Houseago's Masked Figureheads, which will see the professional sculptor create three wood carvings of an NHS worker, a senior citizen and a shopper ready to be displayed in key locations across the city, including Gloucester Royal Hospital.

Funding will also go towards a brand-new large-scale painting from artist Russell Haines, which will be a positive response to the pandemic using content from the Gloucester public to inspire the piece.

Artist Jo Teagues' Make A Rainbow project will also receive funding, offering city residents a stop motion tutorial on how to make rainbow bunting ready to be showcased in Gloucester Cathedral after lockdown.