We work in partnership with local authorities in communities facing economic and social challenges. Based on the premise that creative activity is already taking place in every community, our starting point is to find, value, and celebrate existing activity before looking at how it can be supported, sustained, and increased.
We map existing voluntary arts groups and collaborative everyday creativity that is taking place in communities. In particular, we recognise and value different forms of creativity, with a focus on economically diverse communities and creativity taking place through community groups, neighbourhood organisations and other non-arts organisations.
In addition, we also map local cultural venues, infrastructure, and sustainable transport. These are added to our existing national Creativity Map, capturing creative opportunities across the country.
We bring grassroots creative groups and volunteers together in each community, to connect them with each other and to the relevant local authority and other agencies. We give voice to neglected communities, developing self-sustaining peer support networks and supporting those who feel isolated or ignored.
We also undertake programmes of creative matchmaking, such as developing unusual pairings between local creative groups and environmental groups.
We deliver training and development sessions for local volunteers and grassroots groups to address their key challenges and development needs, as well as helping them to become more environmentally sustainable.
We distribute practical developmental support in the form of microgrants (£200-£300) to address barriers to participation and make groups more viable, sustainable, and effective.
Our unique radio partnership with the BBC amplifies the reach of existing everyday creativity by sharing the stories of the people and places that make it happen.
Creative Lives is keen to support local authorities and other organisations to promote the wellbeing of citizens through regular participation in creative activities in their communities. Creative Citizens is available as a tailored consultancy service to support public bodies to:
To find out more, read our Creative Citizens brochure setting out our consultancy service.
For an example of Creative Citizens in practice, you can read the report from our work with Calderdale Council.
If you'd like an informal chat about how Creative Citizens could work in your area, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
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Our project on behalf of Calderdale Council to research everyday creativity and culture within communities across Calderdale Read more