We have launched a new community interest company called Sparkhouse Creatives whose aim is to bring local, affordable and accessible arts activities to young people in the rural areas of the Cotswolds
Using local spaces with local people delivering weekly arts activities in rural communities. This will support young people who otherwise may feel isolated and unable to access arts due to finance and location. The model will employ local skilled artists on a freelance basis who will be supported at sessions by our inclusion facilitator. They will act as support for the practitioner and also safeguard lead during the sessions. We will aim to create a network of artists, impact positively on inter generational relationships, up skill young people and create employment pathways through the arts, allow older members of communities to earn money and be part of a community creating a sense of purpose in rural areas where they can feel isolated. This program will also support working parents by giving access to high level and affordable care in the evenings and at weekends. We want to build relationships, create stronger communities, create career pathways and build confidence in the arts.
What we'll deliver:
Why it's a great idea:
Raising confidence, self-esteem and emotional Intelligence in young people from rural communities through a variety of arts activities. Build relationships between adults and young people. Provide support for working parents, provide income and support for those with arts skills in rural communities allowing them to deliver sessions safely.
Steps to get it done:
Gallery
Location Bourton-on-the-Water
About the space
North Cotswolds - Focus on rural areas where travel is difficult to reach arts provision in larger town or cities
Council
Cotswold District Council
Journey
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Brilliant news, thanks everyone!
Whoop, 80 people have pledged since fundraising began!
How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees) £18,590
Costs Breakdown
This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.
Overfunding
This project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:
Target (inc. fees) £18,590
Our Volunteer List
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VolunteerOur journey began in Bourton with The Cotswold Youth Theatre, a local, affordable and inclusive group dedicated to raising confidence and self-esteem in young people. We now welcome over 100 weekly attendees across 8 groups, from ages 4 to 19, and have seen first-hand the life-changing impact that creativity can have.
Building on this success, we are developing Sparkhouse Creatives CIC – a not-for-profit umbrella organisation that will expand access to the arts across the North Cotswolds and, in time, further afield. Our mission is to provide safe, affordable, and inspiring opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy a wide variety of creative activities – from visual and expressive arts to performance – delivered right in the heart of their communities.
This summer we successfully ran a week-long Arts Camp, which brought together children and young people for an intensive programme of creativity, teamwork and performance. The response was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted the need – and appetite – for more accessible opportunities like this in our rural communities.
Just as grassroots football provides accessible, community-based sport, we want the arts to be just as available to young people in the evenings and at weekends. Our vision is for young people to develop new skills and confidence, supported by members of their community, in their own local halls.
To achieve this, Sparkhouse Creatives will build a network of local artists, performers, and craftspeople who can share their skills with young people and the wider community. We will remove barriers by covering the cost of space hire, advertising, insurance, and resources. We will also provide a trained facilitator at every session to ensure safeguarding and first aid are in place, so activities are safe as well as inspiring.
Beyond weekly clubs, we want to branch out into one-off events and community arts festivals across rural areas, giving people the chance to come together to celebrate creativity. Financial support will be available for families who might otherwise struggle to access classes and events, ensuring inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do.
In the longer term, we also want to help young people and local creatives develop job skills, training and qualifications around the arts, making it a viable career path within rural communities. By doing so, we can nurture both the next generation of artists and the communities that support them.
Project Owner: Sparkhouse Creatives CIC The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.
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