NVT teams up with Gloucester Arts Council

An ambitious project to establish the Olympus Theatre in Gloucester into a community arts centre is underway. After a couple of decades of ups and downs, the Olympus Theatre received a tremendous boost in its bid to be renovated to its former glory with  the amazing donation of 450 beautiful seats from the Royal Circle of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Read more Watch TV news coverage here

The Olympus Theatre, built in 1923, later converted into the Picturedrome, then used as a Mecca Bingo Hall, has come full circle and will become a community arts centre offering space and facilities for the widest possible range of expressive arts.

Engaging with the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester College and dozens of local organisations and companies who have already pledged their support, Gloucester Arts Council, led by the charismatic Phil McCormick, is working hard to scope out the schedule of works and plan for a bright future.

Such is the enthusiastic response from the community though, some school groups are already clamouring to use the premises as they are.

Jeremy Irons and Simon Pegg have already recognised the project and kindly agreed to be patrons. Read more

New Ventures Trust is delighted to be associated with this project and very excited at the prospect of working with apprentices who will help with the renovations and student artists who will paint the ceiling panels. Community groups, creative practitioners and schools will benefit for years to come from this wonderful iconic venue in the heart of the city. Read more

Creative workshop announced

New Ventures Trust is delighted to be working with the Museum of Military Medicine and professional artist Jane Churchill. The museum have curated a brand new installation which focuses on the importance of innovations made in WW1 in medical treatment and the impact they had throughout the 20th century. Artwork from the "Echoes Across the Century" introduces responses to the stories from behind the scenes by students who worked with Jane in 2017.

There will be two inspirational workshops on 13 and 14 March for teachers, teaching assistants, creative practitioners who work in schools and anyone training to be a teacher. These workshops from 10 - 4pm are free, thanks to the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. They have been designed to use the museum's collection of wonderful objects and artefacts as a vehicle for exploring how to embed creativity in the curriculum.

The origins of plastic surgery, early blood transfusion techniques, prosthetic limbs and casualty evacuation procedures were all developed out of sheer necessity during the First World War. Objects and artefacts illuminate the legacy of innovation of medical practices.

Helping the Wounded is currently open in the Museum of Military Medicine at Keogh Barracks, Aldershot, click here for visit information. The workshops will take place at MMM and will include a tour of the collection, tea/coffee and a light lunch. Participants will be able to take away their own creative outcomes from the workshops and a free copy of the book "Echoes Across the Century"

The workshop will begin to create a digital archive of the museum's collection and offers a worthwhile, productive and enjoyable training day for anyone working in schools who is passionate about encouraging students to think outside the box. Anyone interested in joining one of the workshops should email Alison Truphet for more information or to book a place.

Early prosthetic leg at MMM

Ambulance at MMM

1911 First Aid Manual at MMM

Echoes Across the Century explored the human stories behind the scenes of WW1 and the extraordinary artwork created by 240 students with Jane which was exhibited at Guildhall Art Gallery in 2017, brought to life the role played by ambulance drivers, nurses and doctors and the challenges they faced.

Student's artwork "Visions of War"

Student's artwork illuminating disfigurement

Students working on a collaborative panel

Students' response to the ambulances project in "Echoes"

Student's cabinet of curiosity inspired by WW1 nurses' stories

Student's work inspired by the diary of a WW1 nurse