a tale of honey bees Carol Stobie Voluntary Arts Ambassadors Co-ordinator, Vol Voluntary Arts Scotland

Voluntary Arts Facts 53% of the adult population are active arts and crafts participants. Some figures describing the voluntary arts sector in Scotland: 2 million active participants estimated in the adult population (5 million is the population total) 9,400 groups 18.8% of the voluntary sector (the arts, sports, culture grouping is 40% - the largest grouping in the voluntary sector in Scotland – but the one that attracts the least funding!) 263,400 estimated number of cultural volunteers 7,620,000 estimated number of volunteer hours £44 million worth if these volunteer hours were paid for (calculated at a very modest rate of pay!)

Why do people volunteer in the arts and crafts? Main purpose of group – top social/enjoyment 2. participation 3. entertainment 4. artistic development 5. education 6. training/skills development 7. preservation/conservation 8. information 9. promotion 10. friends group

Benefits to the community The Voluntary Sector Input Survey found that the voluntary arts sector was: providing activity that would not otherwise exist including the traditional skills of Scottish culture and preservation of national and local heritage providing venues that would not otherwise exist including valuable community venues that support the sustainability of communities providing opportunities for children and young people that exist outwith the formal education system and therefore offer young people a broader range of experiences than those offered in the curriculum and potentially attract young people alienated from education and other formal structures supporting other artists, organisations and cultural institutions as well as general charitable fundraising.

Background to the ‘Crafting the Arts’ project: Aim: to strengthen the capacity of Voluntary Arts (VA), particularly to work more efficiently and effectively, and engage better with other voluntary and equalities sector networks in Scotland through Voluntary Arts Scotland. Allow us to offer art and craft form umbrella bodies and local, frontline voluntary groups more consistent and wider- reaching services of advocacy, training and information.

3 things Voluntary Arts Ambassadors do Connect (groups with VA Scotland, with each other, with CVS/ Single Interface, with local arts teams, with Community Planning Partnerships...) Develop (offer opportunities to extend membership, look for training and funding, promote their activities, improve access...) Influence (local decision-making through Community Planning, VA Scotland’s resources provision, local awareness of benefits…)

3 facts funding? Big Lottery Fund timing? Five years ( ) targets? A VAA in each of 32 Scottish local authority … with a future

stages of set-up recruit through our networks and interview with help of local voluntary sector key contact train together on VA, Community Planning and confident presentation set up key meetings to plug into local structures

the first harvest

what’s happening? four rounds of recruitment + four training courses so far – currently recruiting again 16 local authorities covered so far by 20 VAAs (some job-share an area) 18 months to go of this funding – hopes for future sustainability

some case studies… Aberdeen – Mari learning about and reaching out to local arts scene with strong TSI help, prospect of radio slot and further publicity through this route… Angus – Issy is meeting movers and shakers, using council knowledge, contributes to Community Capacity Building forum Argyll & Bute - Nikki’s our Facebook queen, with energetic networking, both online and face to face - starting from strong involvement in Bute community projects and arts activities City of Edinburgh – Fiona does serious networking to spread the word at strategic events like Access to Culture and Sport Falkirk – Craig has taken on an empty High St building and put on highly successful exhibitions, is developing an arts zine to cover the area and setting up in all social media forms! Fife – Stuart and Chloe are connecting with arts officers, participating in Cultural Commission Roadshows to identify groups who can benefit from our resources, heightening awareness of benefits of Facebook pages for groups…

challenges? shake-ups and cuts throughout the land dauntingly complex structures to link into, often in flux supporting volunteers at a distance!

benefits? local presence, a known face promoting new awareness of VA Scotland resources creating new relationships between voluntary agencies, arts groups and local authorities

transferable skills developed… Networking – appropriately to clients Community development Public advocacy Lobbying and campaigning Public speaking/presentation skills Negotiation and diplomacy Brokering and bridge-building Profile-building, marketing, promotion

hopes? more gatherings and training for VAAs developing stronger social networking and online community to keep voluntary arts community (and each other) update Extend our links with TSIs, often the key to our success…. and move onto the next frontiers!

Swarm in here… Carol Stobie Voluntary Arts Ambassadors’ Co-ordinator Voluntary Arts Scotland Tel