Up For Arts

Up For Arts is a dynamic partnership between Voluntary Arts and BBC Local Radio stations, shining a spotlight on everyday creativity through local radio- boosting wellbeing and reducing isolation. Up for Arts began with BBC Radio Merseyside as a legacy project following the 2008 EU City of Culture in Liverpool. Up for Arts also develops bespoke learning and training opportunities in radio and podcast making.

 

Research conducted between 2018-20 by Nick Ewbank Associates concluded that:

People electing to take part in Up for Arts projects between April 2018 and March 2020 experienced an enhanced sense of wellbeing.

We currently have six locally embedded Up for Arts producers working across the UK. They work with local artists and grassroots organisations to encourage participation in creative activity. They deliver live creative taster sessions and highlight local creative activity to BBC Local Radio audiences, which can attract up to 200,00 listeners per station. 

We’ve loved working with Voluntary Arts, the partnership has strengthened our relations in Devon and enabled our reporter the time to bring stories and projects from the community to a new audience.

- Mark Grinnell, Editor, BBC Radio Devon

BBC Local Radio has always valued creativity as a way to bring communities together. Our partnership with Up For Arts has helped showcase the work of hard to reach groups and communities on programmes at BBC Radio Leeds – it’s a relationship that has gone from strength to strength. During these uncertain times, expression through art and creativity has never been more important.

- Shahid Hussain, Assistant Editor, BBC Radio Leeds

Up for Arts is supported by the Oak Foundation and if you like to find out more please contact Jess Plant - Media Partnerships Director ([email protected]).

You can find out more about their work below: