Community Partnerships

This programme provides opportunities for a diverse range of creative community groups to run workshops, hold meetings, and deliver events at The Wilson. This initiative offers a safe, nurturing space for communities to meet, explore their creativity, and fulfil their own project goals, whilst finding new ways for communities to interact with the collections at The Wilson. Meet our newest Community Partnership groups:

ADHD Hub

Supporting adults and parents of children who feel they may have ADHD or have been diagnosed.

Rainbow Cuppa

Supporting adults and parents of children who feel they may have ADHD or have been diagnosed.

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Supporting adults and parents of children who feel they may have ADHD or have been diagnosed.

Sahara Saheli

Sahara Saheli is a multicultural women’s group for women living and working in Cheltenham.

Ongoing Partnerships

Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra

Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra is a community group enabling musicians and performance artists from a range of different backgrounds.

Planet Cheltenham

The project aims to empower and engage the young people of Cheltenham to take part in collective climate action.

Cheltenham Craftivist Collective

The group provides a welcoming space for crafters to work on personal or collaborative projects. 

Art Shape

Art Shape strongly believe in the power of the arts to change lives and improve health and wellbeing – our vision is that all people can choose to engage with the arts as equals.

We would like to hear from the following Community Groups and projects:

  • Groups with a primary focus on creative or artistic activities, or those that use creativity to achieve their goals.
  • Groups that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion within their activities and membership.
  • Groups that will not charge their members for any activity taking place at The Wilson.
  • Groups based in or serving the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire area.
  • Both established groups and new initiatives are welcome to apply, regardless of their length of operation.
  • Groups that are interested in engaging with The Wilson’s collections and resources to enhance their projects.

Download our Application Guidance PDF here.

The programme is intended to support the development of inclusive and accessible creative opportunities for people from Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. Community group selected for this programme will benefit from: 

  • Free access to The Wilson’s professional spaces for workshops, meetings, and events.
  • Opportunities to engage with The Wilson’s extensive collections and resources, drawing inspiration to enrich your group’s creative projects.
  • Promotion of your group or project; more exposure, to raise your profile and attract new members.
  • Connecting with other groups on the programme; exploring collaboration and sharing best practices.
  • Participating in a programme that encourages greater community involvement, enabling your group to reach a wider audience and have a more significant impact.
  • Being part of an initiative that values and promotes diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming environment for all members and participants.

The Community Residency programme 2026 will run from 1st January to 31st December. The online application form will go live on this page in September.

We wish to achieve a balance of different kinds of community groups on the programme, and this will be kept in mind when selecting projects. All groups who fit the criteria below are encouraged to apply, with no discrimination on gender, race, sexuality or disability.

  1. The group must have a primary focus on creative or artistic activities; or use creativity to achieve their goals.
  2. Groups must not charge their members for any activity taking place at The Wilson.
  3. There is a strong commitment to inclusivity and celebrating diversity within the group or project. 
  4. There is an interest in using The Wilson’s Exhibitions and/or Collections to inspire their members.
  5. The planned activity is well suited to the intended space.
  6. The group can demonstrate how their project engages with the local community and the impact it aims to have.

Download our Mission Statement, values and scoring criterial here.

Are you a creative community group?

Download our Application Guidance PDF here.