Redditch people and our unique culture are set to be championed and boosted, thanks to community-driven creative programme Reimagine Redditch, which has just announced its new Programme Director, Dr Richard Bromhall.
Reimagine Redditch is a new Creative People and Places programme, funded by Arts
Council England, that will work in Redditch to develop and deliver creative activities,
especially for people who do not regularly participate in culture. It will be led by local
people, who will develop activities and events with Redditch culture front and centre, and the programme asks them to get involved from day one. Richard joins Reimagine Redditch at a pivotal moment in Redditch’s journey as it looks to build up its cultural offer.
Richard was, until recently, a producer at Coventry City of Culture, where he co-created a
cultural programme that reflected the city’s diverse populations and cultures. The Love
Ireland Festival brought out over 1,000 people for a week of music, dance, poetry, and
Gaelic football activities to celebrate Irish communities, while This is the City brought
together 1,000 professional and home-grown artists to parade through the city centre,
bringing out audiences of 10,000 people.
Richard is a born and bred Brummie who’s proud to have grown up with Redditch family.
He will work with Reimagine Redditch’s consortium and people from across the borough
until March 2025.
He has also worked with community arts organisation Friction Arts in Birmingham,
delivering operations and its creative programmes, as well as producing Nottingham
UNESCO City of Literature’s writing development programmes before and during the
pandemic. Richard holds a PhD in English Literature, and his research now develops
models of best practice for engaging communities in culture.
Richard Bromhall said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed Reimagine Redditch’s
Programme Director. I love Redditch. My fondest memories from my childhood are of
walking around Arrow Valley Country Park on Sunday afternoons with my family. This
programme provides a genuine opportunity for local people and organisations to create,
and participate in, projects about Redditch culture that they’re passionate about. I’m
very excited to work with communities across Redditch over the next two and a half years to shape this programme.
“Culture is essentially about expressing yourself and what you care about -- whoever you are and wherever you’re from. I can’t wait to see the creative talent around the borough and to help spark new ideas about how we can all make the most of Redditch’s rich and diverse culture. We want everyone in Redditch to get involved and know what’s going on. Sign up to our mailing list and you’ll be a part of it from day one.”
Richard will lead Reimagine Redditch through its exciting first chapter, working with the
cultural and voluntary sectors and the wider community to develop new creative
initiatives for Redditch participants, supporters, and audiences to be a part of. As part of
the role, he will underline and develop Redditch’s reputation as a place with a rich culture, showcasing the great creativity of local people and what the borough has to offer.
Jan Higgitt, Chair of Reimagine Redditch, said “We are delighted to welcome Richard as the leader of our team. He brings to the role a depth of experience in promoting community-led arts programmes, combined with a passion for a range of creative forms”.
Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director for Arts Council England, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Richard as Programme Director for Reimagine Redditch –- one of Creative People & Places projects designed to ensure more people can experience, connect with and take part in creativity right on their own doorsteps. Richard’s wide range of experience will bring much to the role and his passion for enabling creativity will benefit communities across Redditch and the local area.”