Taking place in May each year, the Voluntary Arts Festival celebrates the wide range of creative activity taking place in cities, towns and villages across the UK and Ireland – and encourages newcomers to get involved.
Run by Voluntary Arts, the Festival features ‘come and try’ sessions, open rehearsals, workshops, flashmobs and CraftBombs – all designed to inspire people to get involved and find a creative passion, whether it’s singing, acting, painting, knitting, dancing, digital arts, cooking or the many other ways people get creative.
For 2017, with support from Renfrewshire Council and Paisley 2021, we’re shining an extra special spotlight on Paisley and Renfrewshire.
Between 5th – 14th May, events will be taking place across the town and surrounding area, with a special Voluntary Arts Festival ‘What’s On Guide’ available in local venues and online, to point people in the right direction. Events include a family ceilidh, workshops and open rehearsals from craft, music, digital art, dance and painting groups – with more to be announced.
An exhibition, created by Paisley Photographic Society in partnership with Voluntary Arts Scotland, will run at Paisley Central Library capturing local creative groups in action – and giving details of how people can join them.
Robin Simpson, Voluntary Arts Chief Executive said: “The Voluntary Arts Festival has become an annual nationwide highlight in the calendar, showcasing the amazing range and scale of creative cultural activities organised by local volunteers all year round. It’s a truly open opportunity for every local voluntary arts group to raise its profile, demonstrate its creativity and attract new members.”
Paisley 2021 bid director, Jean Cameron said: “The Voluntary Arts Festival is a great event which helps shine a spotlight on thousands of creative groups across the UK making a difference in their communities.
“We are delighted to be able to bring this great national event to Paisley for the first time through funding from our Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.
“Personally, one of the highlights will be the Paisley Photographic Society’s exhibition at the library, which will showcase the wonderful local creative scene which features so strongly in our UK City of Culture 2021 bid.
“I would encourage everyone to check out the Voluntary Arts Festival website and see what is on near them.”
A special map has been produced, giving local residents an overview of creative groups in the Paisley area, so people can see how they can get creative year-round.
An informative training session, run in conjunction with Access Renfrewshire, will take place on Saturday 6 May at Tannahill Centre, Paisley, to help groups be as accessible and welcoming as possible to participants.
To learn more about the Festival, and find events taking place nationwide, visit www.voluntaryarts.org/festival