Voluntary Arts

Artform News

10th December 2007
Arts Sector rally to Save the Arts

Artform Definition

People carry out Voluntary Arts activities for self-improvement, social networking, intellectual stimulation, leisure and pleasure purposes rather than for financial gain.

The artform range is wide and includes dance, drama, literature, music, media, visual arts, crafts, applied arts, folk arts and festivals. The Arts Council is an advocate for the value of voluntary arts.

Voluntary arts play a vital role in promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, contributing an estimated £50 million to the UK arts economy each year. More than half of the UK’s adult population is engaged in some form of voluntary arts or crafts.

For many, voluntary arts are the first point of access to any kind of arts activity. The Council helps to strengthen the support network and to encourage more opportunities for voluntary involvement in the arts. We work in partnership with arts organisations and local authorities.

Publications and Information

Artform Policy Document (PDF)

Pdfs for publications can be obtained from the Voluntary Arts Ireland website.

Current initiatives

• The Council supports Voluntary Arts Ireland - the lead organisation for the sector. They provide an interface between small groups, artform umbrella organisations, funders and the rest of the arts infrastructure.

• We also support artform umbrella organisations to provide services to people who are involved in the voluntary arts.

• Voluntary arts groups with a formal constitution are eligible to apply under any of the Arts Council’s funding schemes but, for small local groups, the Awards for All lottery scheme, is appropriate. It has a simple application procedure, a quick decision turnaround and straightforward reporting requirements. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.
  

Contact Us

Further information on any of the Council’s funding programmes and/or its strategic interests in Voluntary Arts may be obtained from:

Chris Ledger
Arts Development Officer
(Arts & Disability, Arts & Health, Voluntary Arts)
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast. BT9 6AQ
Tel: 028 9038 5213
Email: cledger@artscouncil-ni.org

Relevant Links

Voluntary Arts Ireland