Culture Matson is a network for people in the
area interested in making the area a more
creative place to live.
Matson has a long history of community-led activity and has a great community spirit. However, in the past it was seen as an ‘area of disadvantage’, and experienced a lot of short-term initiatives, driven by policymakers looking to make changes for residents.
But Culture Matson is different.
Culture Matson is a partnership which brings together a range of partners from across the community, with the simple aim of unlocking and building the positive potential of a community and its people through arts and culture.
Hear the story
Below you can watch some short films featuring some of the people involved in Culture Matson, from school headteachers, to local community centre leaders and people who are involved with other organisations. They talk about what Culture Matson means to them and the impact the group is having on the local community.
{We have also written a more formal report for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport after they asked for evidence as part of their enquiry into creative placemaking. We were very happy to share our experience! You can read that here->>> Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda}
GL4 is a community based organisation bringing high quality theatre to community spaces in Matson. In this video Naomi and Sarah talk about the relationships they have built through Culture Matson and how they are supported by the group.
The Redwell Centre is all about engaging the community and in this video Vanessa talks about how through working with Culture Matson they have been able to offer arts and culture at the centre to do just that.
Alison Walker, Head of school at Moat Primary talks about the massive difference having access to affordable arts and cultural opportunities has had for the children - adding art, music and theatre to the diet of their curriculum.
Join the group
And if you’d like to get involved then come along to a meeting - you can see the upcoming dates below and sign up for emails below - and you’ll also meet some of the people in the films!
Culture Matson Meetings
Culture Matson meetings are for anyone interested in combining energy and resources into the creative lives of the community. If you would like to receive the regular meeting dates for Culture Matson or find out more please get in touch with Debbie Christie. Email Debbie . You can also follow us on Facebook here.
Meeting dates
Wednesday 15th January 2025,10am - 12pm - Matson Baptist Church
Wednesday 26th February 2025, 10am-12pm - Matson Baptist Church
Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 10am-12pm - Venue TBC
Wednesday 14th May 2025, 10am-12pm - Venue TBC
Wednesday 25th June 2025, 10am-12pm - Venue TBC
The Matson Model
In 2018 The Barnwood Trust, Create Gloucestershire and Strike a Light Festival hosted a ‘story workshop’ in Matson. The idea was to bring the residents, local organisations and community groups that have been working together in the area to capture their story in an illustrated map. Through telling their stories we were able to capture the connectivity and creativity that led up to the events and programmes that make Matson a creative place to live and work.
Join in with matson
Matson Youth theatre and City Works Youth theatre in rehearsals at St Mary De Crypt for their Christmas sharing.
At Youth Theatre, you'll get a unique creative experience, support to grow and develop your skills in the performing arts and the chance to see fantastic shows for free. You'll also become part of the GL4 and Strike A Light family, where you'll get opportunities to gain work experience with us.
Use this link to enquire about places, its very easy to use.
Take part: youth theatre and dance in Gloucester – Strike A Light
Culture Matson updates
