Voluntary Arts England: Promoting practical participation in the arts and crafts to help create a fulfilled, empowered and healthy civil society.

Watch a short video about the voluntary arts in England

What are the voluntary arts?

The voluntary arts are those arts and crafts that people undertake for self-improvement, social networking and leisure, but not primarily for payment. The range of artforms is wide and includes folk, dance, drama, literature, media, music, visual arts, crafts and applied arts, and festivals. Voluntary and amateur arts groups are governed or organised by those also participating in the activities. They provide opportunities for people who would not otherwise participate in the arts to do so within their local community and are often associated with other groups and activities (such as learning, religious groups, older people’s groups and women’s organisations). At a time when there is huge competition for time and money, voluntary and amateur groups thrive by utilising the expertise, experience and relationships of their members, their friends, families and the local community.

There are currently in excess of 49,000 voluntary / amateur art and craft groups in England, accounting for an estimated one fifth of all arts engagement. These groups have a total of 5.9 million members and an additional 3.5 million people volunteer as extras or helpers – for example raising funds or rigging lighting – bringing the total involvement to 9.4 million people

What does Voluntary Arts England do?

Voluntary Arts England is part of Voluntary Arts - the independent development agency and representative voice of the voluntary arts across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

We offer information, advice and training to those in the voluntary arts sector, from small local groups to large national organisations. We also work with policy-makers, funders and politicians to make the voice of the voluntary arts heard and to improve the environment for everyone participating in the arts.

We work with 200 national and regional umbrella bodies, and through them, hundreds of member groups of local voluntary arts practitioners, all playing a vital role in promoting community cohesion.

Our services include:

• A weekly e-newsletter and quarterly printed newsletter offering up-to-the-minute news, funding opportunities, arts jobs, training and events.
• Free briefing sheets briefing sheets offering advice on a range of issues e.g. ‘Cultural diversity and the voluntary arts’, ‘Consultation – making it work for you’, and ‘Young Adults and Voluntary Arts: three models to promote participation’.
• A comprehensive, up-to-date website giving the opportunity to access a range of publications and consultations, the chance to share best practice with your peers in a popular forum as well as links to news, funding, jobs and training.

• Specialised arts management training.
• Research into the development needs of the sector.

Major recent initiatives have included

• A month long festival of learning which saw over 10,000 people participating in the arts and crafts across the country.
• Up for Arts, a collaboration with BBC Radio Merseyside to encourage more people to take up arts and crafts activities as well as giving high profile media coverage to existing voluntary and amateur arts and crafts groups. www.upforarts.co.uk
• EPIC Awards 2010, our national awards scheme recognising and showcasing the voluntary and amateur arts. Categories include Engagement, Partnerships, Innovation and Creativity. www.epicawards.co.uk

Recent publications include:

• Restoring the Balance: the effect of arts participation on wellbeing and health (2010)
• Edutainment: the benefits of arts and crafts in adult and community learning (2008)
• Making the Leap: From Labour of Love to Earning a Living (2006)

Information...Advice...Research...Lobbying and Advocacy...