Voluntary Arts Week Brief

Voluntary Arts Week by

Crowd Funding!

A brief on crowd funding for voluntary arts and crafts groups from Voluntary Arts.

At its heart, crowdfunding is a really simple concept – showcasing your group’s activities online to attract small donations from a large ‘crowd’ of followers… and offering unique rewards in return for their support.

One of the major benefits of crowdfunding is it allows you to build a two-way relationship with your supporters – you are asking the funder to support a specific project and get something valuable in return, rather than to donate to your organisation in the conventional way. As such, crowdfunding can be a great way to raise money for experimental, small arts projects.

Download the Briefing from www.voluntaryarts.org/runningyourgroup(sign-up required)

This Briefing was published in December 2011. The content and resources were applicable at the time of going to press. Much of the information contained in Briefings is generic but some facts and contacts details may change and /or go out of date. You are therefore advised to double check the currency of the content in this document.

Looking for a venue?

Here is some handy information from Voluntary Arts

Finding a suitable venue for your voluntary arts or crafts activity can be a challenge – whether it’s for a one-off show or exhibition, a regular workshop or rehearsal, or a meeting space for your management committee. This briefing provides voluntary arts groups with a number of new ideas about who to approach when looking for new places to use.

Download the Briefing from www.voluntaryarts.org/runningyourgroup(sign-up required)

This Briefing was published in March 2011. The content and resources were applicable at the time of going to press. Much of the information contained in Briefings is generic but some facts and contacts details may change and /or go out of date. You are therefore advised to double check the currency of the content in this document.

Twitter Presence.

Now that the VAA is on all forms of social networking, here is a briefing from Voluntary Arts on how to make a presence on twitter. 

This briefing will explain the principles of using Twitter and the reasons your voluntary arts or crafts group may want to do so. It will concentrate on the basic processes of registering on the site, finding and following people and organisations of interest, and tweeting short updates about your group’s activities.

Download the Briefing from www.voluntaryarts.org/runningyourgroup (sign-up required)

This Briefing was published in December 2011. The content and resources were applicable at the time of going to press. Much of the information contained in Briefings is generic but some facts and contacts details may change and /or go out of date. You are therefore advised to double check the currency of the content in this document.

Voluntary Arts Week 2013

Voluntary Arts Week shines a light on all the wonderful amateur arts and crafts activity taking place across the UK and the Republic of Ireland – and encourages others to join in.

It’s an annual celebration of the impact voluntary arts groups have on their communities, and the diverse work they produce. This Briefing tells you all about Voluntary Arts Week, how you can get involved and the benefits it could bring to you and others.

Download the Briefing from www.voluntaryarts.org/runningyourgroup (sign-up required)

This Briefing was published in December 2012. The content and resources were applicable at the time of going to press. Much of the information contained in Briefings is generic but some facts and contacts details may change and /or go out of date. You are therefore advised to double check the currency of the content in this document.

Forth Bridges Accordion Band!

FALKIRK'S ONLY ENTRY FOR THIS YEARS EPIC AWARDS!!!

Growing up in Northern Ireland, playing the accordion had always been a big part of Alan Potters’ life. But when he moved to Scotland, he discovered there was no outlet for his musical passion. In a move that typifies all that’s great about the voluntary arts, Alan set about solving the problem by forming his own band. That was in 2008, and the Forth Bridges Accordion Band has since grown from strength to strength.

“The accordion was an instrument that was dying out in Scotland and was starting to be seen by the younger generation as ‘an old man’s instrument’,” says Alan. “I had been part of marching accordion bands all my life in Northern Ireland, but had no opportunity to take this up when I moved to Scotland. There were plenty of brass and pipe bands in many towns and villages, and lots of demand for marching bands in the local area, so I decided to set up my own group.”

The band provides a space for members of the local community to learn to play the drums and accordions, and all members are provided with free tuition, instrument and uniform.  Younger members learn how to keep time to music using cymbals and triangles, and have the opportunity to learn the skills of being a drum major.

Forth Bridges Accordion Band currently has members ranging in age from 4 – 70, including three generations from the same family! The band regularly provides musical entertainment in their local area and beyond, taking part in around 40 engagements each year, including Gala Day Processions, concerts, Christmas Light Events and performances in care homes.

You can read more about the band on their website www.forthbridgesaccordionband.co.uk and watch them performing at www.youtube.com/watch?v=zslVAHpzzPo.

Text courtesy of edpic awards and original poster...

Get voting for the accordion band!

Social Networking

Great News!

The Voluntary Arts Ambassador for Falkirk can now be found all over the internet, check out the networking widget to the right of the blog for links to the VAA's Twitter, LinkedIn, Dribbble, Flickr, Facebook, Youtube, Vimeon, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+ and Evernote. So log on and add me as a friend.

If you want to get in touch to help promote your voluntary/amateur arts group then either drop a line at either of these social networing sites or email me at vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk.

Also the VAA Falkirk edits a free publication which is distributed throughout the local area, if your group wishes to submit work or an advertisement for a future show then send your proposal to the same email address. Look forward to hearing from you.

Dedicated as always to promoting Falkirk's voluntary arts group.

Arts Ambassador Falkirk

Voluntary arts and crafts groups in Falkirk can now have their views listened to thanks to a new initiative by Voluntary Arts Scotland.

With so many layers of bureaucracy lying between ordinary people and the decision makers, we all need somebody to speak up for us. Now, those participating in the arts and crafts in Falkirk have a designated person they can talk to about their hopes and concerns for the area - who will then feedback those concerns to people in a position to do something about it!

Run by Voluntary Arts Scotland, the Voluntary Arts Ambassador scheme aims to recruit volunteers in each Scottish local authority. Those volunteers will then work with local people, local authority arts officers, voluntary sector agencies and Community Planning Partnerships to help promote amateur arts activity in their area.

The initial recruitment drive has resulted in volunteer, Craig Allan being recruited in Falkirk. Subsequent calls will hopefully bring in volunteers from the rest of the Falkirk area, but in the meantime arts and crafts groups across the region can contact Craig or call the Voluntary Arts Scotland office in Edinburgh.

Taking part in the arts and crafts has so many benefits for individuals and the communities they live in, from improved mental health to crime reduction. It’s also a lot of fun, which is why we want to get the message across to as many people as possible who can help the arts and crafts flourish.

Any individuals or groups involved in the arts and crafts who wish to talk to Craig can reach his on email: vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk or check out http://www.facebook.com/VoluntaryArtsAmbassadorFalkirk

DEADLINE 31ST OF JANUARY

The deadline for submitting your work for the next issue of [Untitled] is approaching fast, so if you are an artist working within a voluntary or amateur arts group in any media then get your work submitted by the 31st of January 2013.

Image of work should be atleast 300dpi and large enough to be printed at A5.

Send your work along with its title and a paragraph about your group to vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk.

For performing arts groups, adverts for future shows are acceptable.

Submitting!

[Untitled] is a new publication by Voluntary Arts Ambassador Falkirk Craig Allan, that celebrates Falkirk's voluntary and amateur arts groups, by showcasing work in all medias from local artists in a free publication.

The 'zine aims to bring together local artists, groups and organisations working in various disciplines in order to promote Falkirk's arts and highlight the extremely important role the arts play in our community.

If you are a member of an arts, drama, visual arts, media, literary or crafts group then [Untitled] wants to hear from you. Please share, thank you.

Groups can submit their work to vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk for consideration.

www.untitledfalkirk.blogspot.com

Falkirk Writers' Circle

Falkirk Writers' Circle

Information courtesy of http://www.falkirkwriters.org.uk and the original poster.

What is the Falkirk Writers' Circle?

Falkirk Writers' Circle is an association of writers for the common benefit of all and the encouragement of writing in all its branches. Falkirk Writers' Circle is a self-financing group, independent of any other organisation and is non-party and non-sectarian. If you enjoy writing, this is an opportunity to meet other writers to discuss and share your interest.

What does the Writers' Circle actually do?

1. They aim to celebrate the best of modern writing, encouraging the highest possible standards of excellence in presentation, use of language and breadth of ideas. Falkirk Writers' Circle also encourages the best of its amateur writers to submit for publication.
2. Employ a professional tutor to give lectures, advise and set assignments up to six evenings in the year;
3. Organise challenges and competitions with other writing clubs and circulate information on national writing competitions;
4. Distribute information of use to writers: web addresses, publishing outlets, "how to" notes, etc.;
5. Offer a mutually supportive, positive critique of members' current writing;
6. Organise occasional speakers and workshops on the art of writing;
7. Regular social functions with a literature or writing theme.

Can I attend Writers' Circle meetings?

Yes, Falkirk Writers' Circle meets on Tuesdays, 7.30pm between September and June. Meetings are held at The Greenpark Centre, Greenpark Drive, Polmont. Those who may be interested in joining Falkirk Writers' Circle are welcome to come along, without any obligation. Ample parking and disabled access is available.

Whether you are a beginner or a veteran writer, you will find something to interest you. You can be assured of a warm welcome

More information can be found out about the Writers' Circle on their website - http://www.falkirkwriters.org.uk

Running Your Group

Need help with your amateur group?

Running Your Group has the answers.

Running Your Group is the one-stop shop for instant guidance on all aspects of running a voluntary group. Whether it’s attracting new members, starting

a committee or fundraising advice, we’re here to help.

Sign up for a free account and get all these helpful tools, absolutely free!

Briefings - Over 150 informative Briefings on topics like social media, organising events, fundraising advice and more!

Enews - Packed full of information about the arts and voluntary sector, including events, jobs, funding and volunteering

Quick reference guides - Giving you the essential facts on a range of topics and pointing you towards extra resources

Discussion forum - Connect with your peers for mutual support and encouragement

And our subscription levels are positively teeming with treats such as Step by step tutorials, Live online events and a comprehensive pack to help groups plan for the future.

Get started at www.runningyourgroup.org

Running Your Group is brought to you by Voluntary Arts, the UK and Ireland development agency for amateur arts and crafts. Registered in Scotland as ‘Voluntary Arts Network’. Company No. 139147 / Charity No. SC020345. Registered office: 54 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7EH

Sneak Peek.

A sneak peek at what is inside the first issue of [Untitled]. . .

Pen portraits for Publication 2012 (2012)

Craig Allan

On The Wall - Fiona Scott

Startled by a vixen’s cry

the legionnaire shakes cold dawn

into his head,

and stares out over the moors.

Black scraps of crows circle the hill,

gushing streams clatter

with melting mountain ice,

yellow flecks of winter in his eye.

Tugging his rough cloak closer

against the chill,

he conjures an azure sky

above golden groves.

Remembering the slide of silk

and hot breath on skin

he dreams of distant dawns.

Thanks to Barbara Hammond for submitting the work of Falkirk's Writers Umbrella into [Untitled]. An in-depth feature on the writers umbrella will be appearing soon.

Falkirk's writers Umbrella.

Falkirk's writers umbrella are the first local voluntary arts group to be featured in [Untitled] along side examples of work from members of the Black Swan Collective, who previously exhibited new work in the Old Littlewoods gallery space on Falkirk High Street. Check out these images from their well received exhibition Futura. Examples of literary work by the Umbrella will feature in the publication.

Michael Davis creating his site-specific work.

Series K by Jen Devonshire and We Create In Order To Destroy by Geoff Leung

History of Roundabouts part 1 by Kit Mead

History of Roundabouts part 1 by Kit Mead

History of Roundabouts part 2 and 3 by Kit Mead

Punch Line - Craig Allan

Ever After by Geoff Leung

Kit Mead hanging Series K by Jen Devonshire

((((UA)))) by Nathan Elliott

We Create In Order To Destroy by Geoff Leung

Series K by Jen Devonshire

Nasa Style by Michael Davis

Artisanal Production by Sam Smith

The Scent of Failure by Jen Martin

New Logo and Facebook page.

Logo designed by Craig Allan.

Check out and like Untitled's new facebook page to find out more on what's happening in Falkirk's exciting voluntary arts scene. Issue one out October.

Like - http://www.facebook.com/UntitledFalkirk

Front Cover Unveiled!

The front cover for the illustrious first edition of [Untitled] has been unveiled. Points for recognizing who it is.
Illustration by local artist Craig Allan.