Creative Lives is a registered charity that was established in 1991.
We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring. Watch this short video to learn more.
We know that creative expression in all its forms is a fundamental part of being human, but that individuals and communities need opportunities and support for creativity to flourish. We also know that people coming together to create, have fun, share experiences and support each other can have a positive impact on both their physical and emotional wellbeing.
To that end, Creative Lives works with communities, organisations, policy-makers, funders and creative individuals as a voice for positive change, to improve and expand the landscape in which creative participation can take place. We work to address inequalities in access to creative participation, promote inclusivity, connect people and communities, and seek to increase awareness of the links between creativity and wellbeing.
We do this on a local and national level through advocacy, development and celebrating the activities of creative people, groups and places through the Creative Lives Awards, Creative Lives On Air our Creative Networks and Creative Learning sessions and a diverse range of creative projects.
We have teams based across the UK and Ireland, and are funded by Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Wales.
If you'd like to find out more about any of the above, you can reach us at [email protected]
And here are a few of the projects we've run, or been involved with, in recent times . . .
Find out how our small grants in Scotland are helping local creative groups Read more
A new project providing arts and crafts materials in community venues in Cardiff. Read more
A wonderful display of work by amateur and semi-professional artists from across Scotland Read more
Resources to help pubs and community hubs invite creative groups into their space Read more
A report highlighting some of our activities from the year 2021-22. Read more
Recommended affordable and accessible craft activities for self-led craft groups. Read more
Overview of our work, including policy and research, radio programmes, UK and Ireland-wide awards, funding schemes and more. Read more
A series of worksheets and prompts for people who want to try their hand at a creative activity. Read more
A selection of artwork created by members of the Cardiff Museum Drawing Group. Read more
With a shared mission to support and promote people’s active engagement with creative activities, we have been building exchange-based collaborations with peer organisations across Europe. Read more
Community dance project in Edenderry, Co. Offaly, funded by the St. Patrick's Festival & TikTok Creative Fund Read more
A report highlighted some of our activities from the year 2020-21. Read more
An overview of a collaborative arts project in Wales. Read more
A policy statement issued by Creative Lives in June 2021. Read more
A look back at three decades of creative participation Read more
Our tailored package to help local authorities engage with their creative community Read more
A year of creativity from members of Get Drawing Whitchurch, 2020-21. Read more
An overview of a project in Wales exploring creative activity through poetry. Read more
Make new connections at our series of friendly online get-togethers. All welcome! Read more
A song for Edinburgh's choirs Read more
A participatory drawing project delivered in partnership with organisations around Ireland during the pandemic Read more
The artists behind the MAKING SPACE project tell us about moving the project from a shopping centre in Lisburn to online activities Read more
The Exit 15 Microfund is a friendly little fund to help community groups put on new events and activities in the Ballyogan area. Find out more about the projects Read more
Information about the two-year European project exploring how co-creative activities help to bridge social divides Read more
Poetry project explores how being creative makes us feel. Read more
Thinking about setting up your own community cinema? With the help of Cinema For All we've gathered together lots of useful information to help you get started. Read more