Place-based work

Our programme of hyperlocal place-based development work

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.

Mapping

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.

Networking

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.

Training

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.

Seed funding

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.

Creative Lives On Air

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.

Consultancy package for public bodies

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. We offer a tailored consultancy service to support public bodies to:

engage with local voluntary creative groups;
improve health and wellbeing through cultural participation;
demonstrate the need for investment in local cultural economies;
develop the use of empty shops and unused public spaces for cultural activity;
support the development and implementation of cultural or health and wellbeing strategies.

Examples of our place-based work

We have worked in the following areas across the UK and Ireland:

If you'd like an informal chat about how Creative Lives could work in your area, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].