Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Cymraeg
Creative Lives
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Contact
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Get involved
    • Creative Lives Awards
    • #CreativeNetwork
    • Creativity Map
    • Creative Inspiration
    • Creative Lives On Air
    • Creative Community Champions Network
  • Get advice
    • Getting started
    • Get funded
    • Planning events
    • Publicity & promotion
    • Best practice
    • Roles and responsibilities
    • Practical help
    • View all Briefings
  • Why creativity matters
    • Research
    • Policy
    • Wellbeing
    • Stories of creativity
    • Spaces for creativity
    • Our Publications
  • News & Opportunities
    • News
    • Events
    • Funding
    • Learning
    • Arts volunteering
    • Creative opportunities
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • What We Do
    • Who we are
      • Staff
      • Board
      • Creative Advisers
    • Newsletter signup
    • Work with us
    • Contact us
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Cymraeg
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Creative Inspiration
  1. Get involved

Creative Inspiration

Want to get creative?

There are so many ways to express yourself creatively, from performing (singing, dancing, acting) to crafting (knitting, sewing, embroidery) to visual arts (drawing, painting, photography) - or even just being creative in your kitchen or garden. We've put together a few inspirational ideas to get your creative juices flowing . . .

Looking for a creative group to join?

Across the UK and Ireland, tens of thousands of creative groups regularly meet up in libraries, church halls, community and arts centres. You'll find some of them on our Creativity Map, which is growing all the time - and it's worth checking out your local library, local authority website or local community centre to see who's meeting there.

You can also browse our list of artform 'Umbrella Bodies' - organisations that specialise in particular artforms and can connect you with a wide range of groups in your area.


Get involved in one of our creative projects

  • Jean Genies

Jean Genies is a collaborative arts project with an ecological message inviting you to make magic with denim. The project involves reworking, making and mending – activities which become more popular as people are becoming more aware of the environmental impacts of fast fashion. Learn how to get involved.

      • My Creative Life

      We are inviting people in Northern Ireland to use poetic verse to express their thoughts about being creative. This might be sketching in the garden, singing in a choir, knitting with your friends, mastering a new chord on the guitar, or writing a short story. Learn more.

      More creative opportunities are listed every week here.


      Other fun creative projects to take part in

        • The Big Draw Festival

        Take part in this worldwide celebration of drawing which encourages people to get back to the drawing board! The festival consists of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities, and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small; from individuals to entire cities! It is you, the Organisers, who make our dreams a reality... Learn more.

        • The January Challenge

        oin some of the creative world's biggest talents This is a unique opportunity to join in with some of the creative world's biggest talents. The January Challenge from arts organisation 64 Million Artists, now in its eighth year, is 31 days of fun, quick and free creative challenges for everyone to enjoy. Learn more.

        • Weekly creative activities for older people

        In 2022, as part of The National Activity Providers Association's Year of Creativity, we contributed to a series of 52 activities for people working and living in care home settings. Access the full activity programme.


        Get inspired by others

        • Stories of creativity - learn why and how getting creative can improve people's lives

        • Cardiff Museum Drawing Group - see the latest creations of a group of people that came together to begin exploring National Museum Cardiff’s collections through drawing...

        • #CreativeNetwork - meet and chat with peers on various themes. See what's on.

        • Creative Lives On Air - hear some of the best stories from creative people and groups. 

        • Creative Conversations

        Orcadian designer Kirsteen chats with other local craftsfolk. Listen to this BBC Radio Scotland series online via BBC Sounds.


          Some great creative TV programmes to add to your binge-watch list:

          Screenshot BBC iPlayer - The Great British Sewing Bee

          • The Great British Sewing Bee 

          Amateur sewers compete to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young, hoping to be crowned Britain’s most sensational seamster. Watch it online via BBC iPlayer.

          • Battle of the Brass Bands

          Follow some of Britain's most famous brass bands - from Cory Band to Brighouse and Rastrick - as they compete against each other in national competitions. Watch it online via Sky Arts.

          Screenshot from BBC iPlayer - The Great British Sewing Bee

          • The Great British Bake Off

          Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas welcome more amateur bakers, as 12 new hopefuls in a brand-new bubble enter the iconic white tent. Watch it online via Channel 4. 

          • The Great Pottery Throw Down
          Amateur potters compete against one another in a pottery competition, where they attempt to design pieces of art and beautiful utensils to win. Watch it online via Channel 4. 

          Published: 10th January, 2022

          Updated: 3rd January, 2023

          Author: Andreea Lupu

          Share this page
          • Email
          • Facebook
          • Twitter

          Latest

          • Creativity Map

            Creativity Map

            Add your group or find something creative happening near you!

          • Creative Places: Edenderry - Michelle O'Donnell receives artist commission

            Creative Places: Edenderry - Michelle O'Donnell receives artist commission

            Internationally acclaimed glass artist commissioned as part of our three-year programme in Edenderry

          • Survivor Arts

          • Spaces for Creativity - Survey 2023

            Spaces for Creativity - Survey 2023

            Help us gather evidence about issues facing creative groups using venues for their activity

          Related

          • Beach of Dreams: October roundtable discussions

            Beach of Dreams: October roundtable discussions

            Learn more about getting involved in the project at one of our regional roundtables

          • Celebrate 10 years of Fun Palaces

            Celebrate 10 years of Fun Palaces

            Make a Fun Palace this October by hosting events and activities in your community

          • Creative Lives Radio Club

            Creative Lives Radio Club

            Learn to make an audio documentary ready for radio broadcast in a friendly and supportive environment

          • The 2023 National Poetry Competition is open for entries

            The 2023 National Poetry Competition is open for entries

            Open to all poets worldwide, with a top prize of £5,000

          • 'The River Speaks' - Come and Sing session in Edinburgh

            'The River Speaks' - Come and Sing session in Edinburgh

            Join Creative Lives and songwriter Kim Edgar for a free fun day learning and recording a new song celebrating the Water of Leith

          • Focus Groups for Creative Health in Norfolk and Suffolk

            Focus Groups for Creative Health in Norfolk and Suffolk

            Join in this important mapping and exploration of creative health in the regions.

          • My Creative Life

            My Creative Life

            A new project in Northern Ireland creating poetry inspired by voluntary arts.

          • Jean Genies

            Jean Genies

            A collaborative art project involving making, mending and darning.

          • Lift the Lid

            Lift the Lid

            Raising awareness of creativity for young people in Leeds

          • Northern Souls - Going down the Welly

            Northern Souls - Going down the Welly

            Powerful community project telling the stories behind Easington Welfare Centre, County Durham

          Most read

          • Knitting for Charity - free patterns

            Knitting for Charity - free patterns

            Knitters who are interested in knitting for good causes might like these free patterns

          • GDPR: Data Protection

            GDPR: Data Protection

            How do new GDPR laws on data protection impact your creative activities

          • Get Creative Outdoors

            Get Creative Outdoors

            We're encouraging everyone to Get Creative

          • Contact us

            Contact details for Creative Lives

          • Know Your Neighbourhood grants

            Know Your Neighbourhood grants

            Application information for the Know Your Neighbourhood grants scheme

          • Our Purpose

          • Work with us

            Work with us

            Opportunities to join the team at Creative Lives

          • Creativity Map

            Creativity Map

            Help us create a map of all the creative groups and activities by adding your listing

          • Creative Network

            Creative Network

            Make new connections at our series of friendly online get-togethers. All welcome!

          • Andor Charitable Trust

            Andor Charitable Trust

            Grants for charities in England and Wales

          Tag cloud

          alzheimer's art Arts Craft creativity Dance dementia disability fun intergenerational memories music objects older people singing theatre

          Sign up for our monthly newsletter

          • Contact us
          • Full sitemap
          • Terms & conditions
          • Privacy policy
          • Admin login
           Arts Council Ireland 

          © Copyright 2021 Creative Lives | Registered charity number: SC020345

          Manage Cookie Preferences