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Cygnet Song, the breathtaking light installation that lit up Worcester’s main bridge across the River Severn as part of the Bridges of Light festival, has launched the new programme of art, creativity and collaboration in Worcester. 

The two-day celebration showcased installations and interactive light-based artworks created by professional artists and local community groups throughout Worcester City this October half term (29 and 30 October).

The festival is the first of an ambitious two-year programme led by eight city partners aimed at developing the cultural life of Worcester. 

Local Voices, Creative Choices will see a series of arts projects and festivals take place in the city, created with input from Worcester residents. There will also be a series of new professional development opportunities for FE and HE students, early career artists and creatives.

The programme has been made possible by a grant of £800,000 from Arts Council England.

For this festival, professional artists have worked with a range of community groups in order to share their stories through the light artworks and installations, all exploring literal and metaphorical themes of bridges – connecting communities, environments, heritage and each other.

A spokesperson from the Local Voices, Creative Choices partnership board said: “To fully grow and develop the cultural life of Worcester, supporting artists, developing students, engaging communities and delivering high-quality, meaningful cultural events – we are working collectively and collaboratively to ensure we take a strategic approach. Drawing on the expertise of all our partners – arts and non-arts – Local Voices, Creative Choices will deliver a huge impact for our city.

“It really is an exciting moment as the project begins to come to life with a fantastic two-day light festival from Severn Arts. We look forward to seeing the city buzzing with communities and artists and to see this continue over the next two years.”

Local Voices, Creative Choices is a unique partnership, bringing together arts organisations Severn Arts, Scala Arts Centre, Worcester Mela; higher and further education providers University of Worcester and Heart of 91��Ƭ��College, plus Worcester Community Trust, Worcester City Council and 91��Ƭ��County Council.

Local Voices, Creative Choices will run from Autumn 2025 until September 2027.  

Find out more at .

Image caption: Local Voices, Creative Choices partners at Stitching Light by Emergency Exit Arts, part of Bridges of Light. L – R: Mark Flisher, University of Worcester; Helen Davis, Worcester Community Trust; Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts; Jabba Riaz, Worcester Mela; Olivia Toye, 91��Ƭ��County Council; Hannah Phillips, Scala Worcester; Ivan McDouall, Heart of 91��Ƭ��College; Councillor Lynn Denham, Worcester City Council.