January 29, 2014
Voluntary arts time to shine
Whether it’s helping out with the local drama group, singing in a choir or taking part in any one of almost 10,000 local groups involved in some kind of arts or craft activity, you’re part of a massive voluntary arts movement in Scotland that sits, for the most part, under the national radar. However once a year the voluntary arts scene takes the stage at its EPIC awards ceremony. A quick squint at the shortlist (winners to be announced at VAS’ conference on 26th Feb) gives you a sense of the sector’s diversity.
29/1/14
OVER two million people in Scotland, more than half the adult population, regularly take part in voluntary activities under the arts umbrella, making it one of the biggest areas where the voluntary sector meets mainstream society.
With over 10,000 groups, mainly operated by volunteers for the love of their past-time, voluntary arts plays a key part in Scottish culture, providing opportunities to sing, dance, knit, act, draw and play an instrument, to name just a few.
Such is the interest in voluntary arts that Voluntary Arts Scotland (VAS), the development agency for amateur arts and crafts, has tasked itself with mapping the sector in 2014 in a bid to make it even easier for people to get involved.
“Quietly people attend rehearsals, tutor others, share skills and organise community events,” said Jemma Neville, VAS director.
“Together with partners, we plan to undertake a mapping of local cultural infrastructure across Scotland, and look into the ways in which voluntary arts groups, professional artists, venues and public services can strengthen and support one another.”
With so much going on in this area, this task isn’t an easy one but VAS is determined to create a stronger environment for amateur arts to flourish.
Already a worthy champion of the sector, VAS offers information and advice to anyone involved in voluntary arts and crafts, helping make connections between local groups, local authorities and voluntary sector agencies and ensuring the voice of the voluntary cultural sector is heard by local and national government.
More than just a fun local activity, VAS believes that local arts activities are vital to the health, social and economic development of Scottish communities.
“We want to turn up the volume on the achievements of local activities so that other people and places can learn about them and experience the feel good factor that comes from arts participation,” Neville continued.
“There is a resilient spirit running through the voluntary arts sector, despite tough economic times, but even more people could enjoy the benefits of cultural creativity if obstacles in their path were removed.”
The Epic Awards were set up in 2010 to promote, support and champion the voluntary cultural sector. – Click here to see more.
You can participate in this year’s EPIC awards by voting in our People’s Choice Award, a fun award for the honour of being the public’s favourite. To cast your vote, please view the entries below and vote by clicking the green ‘thumbs-up’ button under your preferred entry (only one vote per person for each group – you will be asked to register solely for the purpose of voting). –
Vote for the People’s Choice by clicking here