GUST is an incubator for new projects in the arts and heritage and for social and strategic innovators in Gloucester. We understand that intervention at the right time and in the right place can make all the difference to a fledgling creative project. The name conveys what we do, breathing energy into early-stage initiatives through strategic and hands-on support, empowering them to be sustained for the long term by local organisations on the ground.

The GUST team was involved in creating the city’s Cultural Strategy in 2016, launching the Gloucester Culture Trust and successfully applying for £1.5m of funding from Great Place.  GUST came out of this wave of activity and we want to do our bit to develop the cultural infrastructure and support emerging talent especially among the city’s young and diverse population. 

We look for projects which strengthen the cultural priorities identified in the city’s Cultural Strategy – heritage assets with a contemporary twist; growth Festivals as identified in the Culture Trust’s Festivals Review; high-quality community activities; and opportunities for young people to develop creative careers in the city. Supporting projects which create social impact for the residents of Gloucester and incubating emerging talent and new cultural practice is at the heart of our work.

The projects are funded by grant funding, individual donations and ticket sales where possible.