The Gloucestershire Academy of Music (GAM) is celebrating a significant milestone after purchasing its long-term rented site, Barbican House, in Gloucester.
The charity, which has been providing music education for over 40 years, embarked on a three-year fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 to buy the building.
With the support of generous donations, GAM successfully raised more than £400,000, enabling the purchase from Gloucester Council.
GAM has been offering lessons, group sessions, courses, and masterclasses to individuals of all ages, with more than 600 participants taking part each week.
The academy’s executive director, Richie Ashton-Phillips, described the purchase as a pivotal moment for both the charity and the wider music and arts community in Gloucestershire.
In addition to securing the building, GAM plans to make several improvements to the space.
These include enhancing accessibility for disabled individuals, creating a new atrium, and redesigning the entrance hall.
The academy also intends to reconfigure rooms to provide better rehearsal spaces for its diverse range of activities.
Ashton-Phillips expressed deep gratitude for the support received from Gloucester City Council and the community.
“We can’t express how grateful we are to the city council for their support and also for the generosity of everyone who donated towards our three-year fundraising appeal,” he said.
Local councilors also praised the academy’s contribution to the community. Councillor Jeremy Hilton emphasized the importance of securing GAM’s future and hoped it would continue to thrive for many years.
Councillor Caroline Courtney, the cabinet member for culture and leisure, highlighted the crucial role music and culture play in enriching the city’s vibrancy and contributing to its economy.
With the acquisition of the building, the Gloucestershire Academy of Music is poised to continue its invaluable work and expand its impact for years to come.
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