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  1. About
  2. What We Do

What we do

What we do

Voluntary Arts supports, encourages, promotes and advocates for creative cultural activity in all its forms.

Where we do it – and who with

We work across the UK and Republic of Ireland, with everyone who gets creative purely for the love of it. We also work with anyone who helps facilitate creative participation, those who fund it, provide spaces for it to happen, and the people who work alongside communities to support them in their creative endeavours.

What do we mean by ‘creative activity’?

Everything from traditional amateur arts and crafts (singing, dancing, drama, knitting, painting, sewing – and lots more besides) to wider definitions of creativity such as digital arts, or expressing yourself in the kitchen or garden.

Why it’s important

We recognise the huge contribution that creative cultural activity makes to people’s wellbeing – whether they’re part of a group or going it alone.

We regularly see the difference it makes to individuals and communities, and the way creative pursuits bring people together, teaches them new skills, boosts confidence and brings about a sense of achievement.

Like many things in life, it’s often about the journey and the experience, rather than an end result (although that can be great, too).

Our work

The work of Voluntary Arts can be broadly categorised as follows:

  • Connecting – we help make alliances and partnerships, and facilitate networking between creative groups and organisations.
  • Influencing – we represent, lobby for and advocate on behalf of the voluntary arts sector, on a local, national and international level.
  • Developing – we provide information, advice, training and events to bring people together and foster new relationships and connections. We also promote the creative output of the tens of thousands of people and groups across the UK and Ireland who get creative week in, week out.

Visit the other parts of our website to read about...

Our annual awards scheme, the Epic Awards

Our annual celebration of creativity, the Get Creative Festival

Our collaboration with BBC local radio, Up For Arts

Our extensive resources, including helpful briefings on a range of topics, our listings of job opportunities, creative opportunities, funding and much more.


Our Projects

#CreativeNetwork

#CreativeNetwork

Join us for regular online get-togethers for anyone involved in arts, culture and creativity so we can connect and collaborate remotely Read more

Published: 13th July, 2020

Updated: 2nd March, 2021

Author: Damien McGlynn

Related topics:
  • What we do
Mouth of the River - A song to celebrate the Water of Leith

Mouth of the River - A song to celebrate the Water of Leith

A song for Edinburgh's choirs Read more

Published: 1st June, 2020

Updated: 19th January, 2021

Author: Kelly Donaldson

Related topics:
  • What we do
#LoveToDraw Ireland

#LoveToDraw Ireland

A participatory drawing project developed by Voluntary Arts Ireland culminating in an exhibition at the Glucksman Gallery during November 2020. Read more

Published: 21st May, 2020

Author: Voluntary Arts

Related topics:
  • What we do
MAKING SPACE

MAKING SPACE

The artists behind the MAKING SPACE project tell us about moving the project from a shopping centre in Lisburn to online activities Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2020

Author: Damien McGlynn

Related topics:
  • What we do
Exit 15 Microfund projects

Exit 15 Microfund projects

The Exit 15 Microfund is a friendly little fund to help community groups put on new events and activities in the Ballyogan area. Find out more about the projects Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 7th June, 2018

Author: Mairead McCormack

Related topics:
  • What we do
Drawn Together

Drawn Together

A participatory arts project delivered by Voluntary Arts Wales and Coast Lines. Read more

Published: 9th May, 2018

Updated: 22nd August, 2019

Author: Gareth Coles

Related topics:
  • What we do
Creative Community Conversations

Creative Community Conversations

An overview of Voluntary Arts Wales' 2018 research project Creative Community Conversations. Read more

Published: 17th January, 2018

Updated: 20th December, 2018

Author: Gareth Coles

Related topics:
  • What we do
BRIDGING

BRIDGING

Information about the two-year European project exploring how co-creative activities help to bridge social divides Read more

Published: 4th September, 2017

Updated: 28th May, 2019

Author: Damien McGlynn

Related topics:
  • What we do
My Time - Poetry inspired by creativity

My Time - Poetry inspired by creativity

Poetry project explores how being creative makes us feel. Read more

Published: 27th April, 2017

Updated: 8th January, 2020

Author: Kelly Donaldson

Related topics:
  • Creative opportunities
  • Creative opportunities in Scotland
  • What we do
Grow Your Own Cinema

Grow Your Own Cinema

Thinking about setting up your own community cinema? With the help of Cinema For All we've gathered together lots of useful information to help you get started. Read more

Published: 5th December, 2016

Updated: 20th June, 2018

Author: Damien McGlynn

Related topics:
  • Practical help
  • What we do
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Showing 10 of 10

Latest

  • Grants for Good

    Grants for Good

    Supporting your group to make a positive difference to your local community

  • Singing for Good Health Training

    Singing for Good Health Training

    Training for singing leaders who want to help those suffering from chronic health conditions.

  • Stitching Together Good Practice Guidelines

    Stitching Together Good Practice Guidelines

    Advice for facilitators of participatory textile making workshops and projects

  • Join #CreativeNetwork - South East

    Join #CreativeNetwork - South East

    Open to all those interested in participatory arts and science initiatives and ideas

Most read

  • Knitting for Charity - free patterns

    Knitting for Charity - free patterns

    Knitters who are interested in knitting for good causes might like these free patterns

  • GDPR: Data Protection

    GDPR: Data Protection

    How do new GDPR laws on data protection impact your creative activities

  • #GetCreativeAtHome

    #GetCreativeAtHome

    We're encouraging everyone to #GetCreativeAtHome

  • Contact us

    Contact details for Voluntary Arts

  • Volunteering in the Arts toolkit

    Volunteering in the Arts toolkit

    Guides to support groups to work with volunteers

  • Why we're here

  • Epic Awards

    Epic Awards

    See the #EpicAwards2020 shortlist - winners announced 22 Oct!

  • Age of Creativity Festival

    Age of Creativity Festival

    Age of Creativity, England's national festival for creative ageing, taking place from 1 - 31 May 2019

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    Opportunities to join the team at Voluntary Arts

  • A New Role for the Artist - A Manifesto

    A New Role for the Artist - A Manifesto

    John Fox MBE distills a lifetime of experience liberating art from 'the ghettos of theatres and galleries and restoring it to participating communities.'

Tag cloud

alzheimer's art Arts Craft creativity Dance dementia disability intergenerational memories museums music objects older people singing theatre

Latest tweet

  • #TrainingAlert Singing leaders you can now develop your skills in helping those who suffer from chronic health cond… https://t.co/SNHfxYDxjT

    3rdMarch, 2021 @voluntaryarts
  • RT @LAHFArtsHealth: Launch of the National Centre for Creative Health, 9th March 2021 @TheNCCH by NCCH Chair, Lord Howarth of Newport,… https://t.co/xq3kP2mbEG

    3rdMarch, 2021 @voluntaryarts
  • 🎉You're invited! To mark the anniversary of our first #CreativeNetwork Zoom session on 17 March 2020, we are hostin… https://t.co/OzlhGUyoKp

    3rdMarch, 2021 @voluntaryarts

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