How is local creativity changing in 2026?
We had a fantastic response to our annual survey of creative participation: the Creative Lives Monitor 2026, and now we want to hear from you.
Join us for an online focus group to discuss the initial findings and share your experiences.
Your insights will help us advocate for better funding, more support, and more recognition for the amazing creative work happening in every community.
🗓 When: Wednesday 20 May at 12.00pm / Thursday 21 May at 6.30pm
📍 Where: Online (via Zoom)
🔗 How: Book via the link in our bio
#CreativeLives #LocalCreativity #CommunityArts #CreativeResearch
Our project in the Republic of Ireland, Creative Places, Edenderry, is currently welcoming applications for Artist Commissions and an Artist Residency. Apply by 4 June and share your creativity with the people of Edenderry!
/creative-places-edenderry-artist-commissions-and-residency
Applications are invited for small grants to support participatory arts projects during this year's @mhfestival .
Grants of between £750-£1,250 will be awarded to applicants in Perth, Stirling, and rural areas across Scotland.
/scottish-mental-health-arts-festival-regional-participatory-arts-fund
Has your creative group had success raising money locally? Share your tips with us, and you could win a £250/€290 micro-grant!
We'll publish your good ideas in a toolkit, so everyone can benefit from them. Link in bio. Deadline: 5 May.
Congratulations to the Birmingham branch of the @kcguild - winners of the £250 micro-grant, chosen randomly from everyone who filled out the Creative Lives 'Monitor' survey!
We received over 20% more survey submissions than last year - so THANK YOU to everyone who responded.
Your input is CRUCIAL, so we can represent everyday creativity at a local and national level.
Would you like to attract more young people to your creative group? Then join Amateo for their free, informative webinar on Wed 29 April, 2.30-3.30pm for tips on engagement and inter-generational connection.
Amateo is the European network set up to promote and advocate for active participation in arts and culture.
To book your free place, visit: /reaching-younger-generations-strengthening-intergenerational-connections
POV: When the Royal Visit actually feels like a community celebration 🤩
Today, we welcomed HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to the Isle of Wight to experience the Island’s creative culture first-hand.
His Royal Highness met with our partners from CAN YOU HEAR US? including Shademakers, New Carnival Company, Young Farmers, the IW Indonesian Community, In Focus and HMP Isle of Wight. Delivered in partnership with Creative Lives, the micro-grant strand of this programme is supporting local groups to deliver creative, community-led activity across the Island.
It was a day defined by shared enthusiasm for making creativity an opportunity for everyone.
From now through to the autumn, you can join in with free events and activities as we build toward our six-week celebration of creativity and culture. CAN YOU HEAR US? takes place from September 11th to October 24th 🥳
Visit canyouhearus.uk to get involved
#CANYOUHEARUS #creativeisland #isleofwight #royalvisit #everydaycreativity
The window is currently open for Asda Foundation's 'Local Community Spaces Fund' - so if you're looking to repair, maintain or improve your space, apply by 28 April.
/asda-foundations-local-community-spaces
Welcoming new members to your creative group
Join @makingmusicuk and Creative Lives for a FREE in-person event in Wrexham.
Thursday 23 April 2026
3.00pm-5.00pm
@typawb , Wrexham
Whether you lead a choir, drama club, craft circle, or any creative group, this is your chance to meet other creative group leaders and learn practical ways to:
✅ Attract new participants
✅ Make newcomers feel instantly welcome
✅ Keep your members coming back!
🔗 Book your free ticket. Link in bio.
#creativelives
#makingmusic
#NorthWalesCreatives
#TyPawb
#CommunityArts
#WrexhamEvents
There's still time to book your FREE place on this fascinating training session on trauma, we'll be running online with @beekindtraining on Thursday 16 April: /Event/trauma-informed-training
Want to make your creative group more accessible?
In collaboration with DPOs and Disabled people, @disrights_uk and partners have come up with some top tips for how to make your group welcoming to all!
Download the free toolkit - link in bio.
