The Arts in Wiltshire

Guest blog: Jules Hobbs talks about how theatre company FINDINGTHE WILL has had an impact on young people’s lives. Ten years and twenty thousand children later…….

When Richard Curnow and I started FINDING THE WILL in 2007 it was meant to be a ‘fill in’ job. Something we could do when we were ‘resting’ as actors. We never dreamt that it would become the success it has, nor did we ever think it would become our main income stream. What a … Continue reading →

Guest blog: Archive Conservator Sarah Volter talks about a project to conserve two works of art on paper.

My role is dedicated to the long term preservation and repair of paper and archival items including: paper and parchment documents, books, maps, photographs and works of art on paper such as prints and drawings. I work with a wide variety of heritage organisations such as museums and archives as well as private collectors to … Continue reading →

Guest blog: Arctic Convoys Project. Dawn Gorman talks about the interplay between heritage and creative writing, and how a group of young Scouts discovered that they were writers.

I’m a freelance writer and arts facilitator, which in practice means I run creative writing workshops, devise and run community engagement arts projects, and collaborate with artists, musicians and others (recently a firm of undertakers) – so to expect the unexpected is both part of the job description and one of the principal pleasures of … Continue reading →

Guest blog: Wylye Valley Art Trail Coordinator Laura Rich considers the inclusive role of open studio events and the impact on the participating artists.

Mentoring the artist’s way. Dip into the Wylye Valley Art Trail. Anthony Connolly, recently listed as one of Britains top portrait painters by the Mall Galleries, was my A-Level art teacher. I remember him coming into class and singing sentences accompanied by playing his guitar. I loved the way he taught without actually ever saying … Continue reading →

Guest blog: “But let’s be honest, a film isn’t going to make any difference, is it?” Claire Williams, Creative Learning Officer for Pound Arts discusses whether Art can make a difference

“But let’s be honest, a film isn’t going to make any difference, is it?” On 13th April 2017 Pound Arts, in partnership with Bath Spa University created and delivered an Arts and Social Change day which included two screenings of Ken Loach’s BAFTA award-winning film I, Daniel Blake, discussions following each screening, arts and social … Continue reading →

Guest blog: Karl Bevis, Head of Creative Learning at Wiltshire Music Centre, looks further to discover opportunities for learning

An observant friend of mine shared a photo recently of some public art he’d spotted. It was at a junction near High Holborn (up in that there London-town) at about first floor level. Despite walking that way often, he couldn’t work out why he’d not seen it before. Maybe it was the onset of spring … Continue reading →

Funding: One Stop Shop Carriers for Causes

Not for profit organisations, including schools voluntary/community organisations and charities, that are located within 2 miles of a One Stop shop can apply for grants of up to £1,000 for projects that benefit their local community. The grants are available for a wide range of activities and the funding will cover the direct costs needed … Continue reading →

Funding: The Architectural Heritage Fund – The Heritage Mortgage

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) which is a registered charity that promotes the conservation and regeneration of historic buildings, has launched a new mortgage-style loan facility that allows charities, not for profit companies, CICs, Parish and Town councils to borrow £150,000 – £500,000 over 10 – 20 years (up to 30 years by exception) for … Continue reading →

Funding: HLF Heritage Enterprise Programme – Restoration of Historic Buildings

The next deadline for the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Enterprise programme is 31st August 2017. The Heritage Enterprise programme supports enterprising heritage organisations in rescuing neglected historic buildings and restoring them to viable productive use. Grants of between £100,000 and £5million will be awarded to meet conservation deficits i.e. where the existing value of the … Continue reading →

Training: Emergent – A Music Legacy, career development for emerging disabled musicians

Drake Music have launched a programme of creative and career development opportunities for emerging disabled musicians in the South West. More details on Drake Music’s website. Deadline 31 July 2017 Source: Youth Music Network

Resource: Beyond Words Project Report

Jeany Robinson from Plymouth Music Zone presents a new study showing how music sessions can help those whose speech is impacted by learning difficulties, strokes, dementia, brain damage and autism. Source: Youth Music Network

Funding: Fundraising and Revenue Diversification Programme

Arts Manager International (AMI) is pleased to announce the Building Resilience: Fundraising and Revenue Diversification Programme, an 18-month teaching and consultation programme for up to 25 arts and cultural organisations throughout England. The primary objective of the programme is increased financial resilience and is relevant to organisations with nascent, intermediate, and advanced fundraising practices. Strong … Continue reading →

Opportunity: Artist call out for Gloucestershire libraries’ summer project

Are you interested in testing out creative ideas that inspire imagination and learning in and out of library settings? With funding from the Summerfield Trust and through the Art of Libraries pilot programme, 3 “early adopter” libraries are looking for designers, makers, performers, visual and digital artists who are experienced in working with children and young … Continue reading →

ArtCare seek support for “Bright Ideas” Crowdfunder project to work with students and young people to motivate future inventors for healthcare and engineering

Inspired by Salisbury Hospital’s historic collection, ArtCare want to work with students, youth groups and young people to motivate future innovation and inventors for healthcare and engineering… and we have come up with the Bright Ideas Challenge – to sponsor, support and find out more about ArtCare’s new Crowdfunding campaign ‘Bright Ideas’, visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brightideas

Opportunity: Call for artist submissions, Art Auction, Trowbridge Museum

A call out for local artists and craftspeople to submit up to two artworks (2D and 3D) for Trowbridge Museum’s silent auction to help with its fundraising for the Museum and Mill expansion plans into a regional museum. If you are submitting a painting or work that is not three dimensional we would ask that one … Continue reading →

Arts Council England announce the National Portfolio Organisations for the next four years

Arts Council England (ACE) has today announced its new set of National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) from 2018 to 2022. Three applications from arts organisations in Wiltshire were successful and include: Salisbury Playhouse £1,277,944 per year over four years and supports the current plans for the merger of three arts organisations in Salisbury – Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury … Continue reading →