Arts development

Our priority groups are young people and older people, particularly those in disadvantaged or isolated communities, although we do a variety of work in all areas of the borough.

What kind of events and projects do we organise?

We work in partnership with local organisations and initiatives, both arts and community based, to deliver projects such as Harvest Moon - Festival of Art, Rhythm, Food and Light, which was organised in partnership with Kirk Hallam Alliance and Groundwork Erewash Valley.

We have also recently organised a Diwali event in Long Eaton, where school children were given the opportunity to work with a local professional artist from Long Eaton Artroom, to create and decorate traditional candle holders from clay.

These workshops were followed by an open event at Long Eaton Town Hall, where children aged 3-14 were invited to not only make their own candle holders, but to experience traditional Indian dance and the story of Diwali for free.

This launched our ‘Pride in Erewash - Festival of Light’ initiative, which will continue with a variety of events celebrating traditional festivals from many different cultures across the Borough for the next three years.

To take a look at events coming up over the next few weeks, visit the Local events (opens in a new window) page.

Amongst others projects, we are also developing opportunities for people with learning difficulties, people with mental health issues, young parents, and are working with the rest of Culture and Leisure Services to increase arts sessions in the Council’s MACCA programme (the children’s holiday activity scheme).

Arts at the HeART

A heart-warming project to take visual arts and crafts to older people in Erewash is to be extended for another two years . . . thanks to its outstanding success.

The pioneering scheme has seen an artist work with elderly residents at Sandiacre’s Ladycross Residential Home and house-bound people across the borough in an inspiring eight-week project.

All the activities – which included painting, embroidery and drawing - were a big hit with the elderly people, proving to have a real feel good factor for them and sparked a real fascination and passion for art.

The project was a partnership between Erewash Borough Council, the Library Service and Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, which partly funded the activities through the Choosing Health fund.

Now, because of the success, another £9,000 of funding has been secured to extend the project for another two years.

A booklet has been produced which showcases the work that came out of the sessions, download it below.

Live and Local

Live & Local is a not-for-profit arts organisation working with voluntary groups across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. We provide support for arts activities that keep people in touch with their communities and enhance their quality of life.

Surprising Shows in Surprising Places

The Live & Local Community Touring Scheme helps voluntary groups to choose and promote high quality professional performances for their local community venue. At the heart of the scheme is the opportunity to bring people together to enjoy high quality, affordable, memorable and uplifting live entertainment.

A professional office team provides practical support and advice by helping volunteers to choose shows, and by co-ordinating the bookings, subsidising performances and helping them to attract an audience. The scheme is made possible by funding from Derbyshire County Council, Local District and Borough Councils and Arts Council England but happens because of an investment of time, enthusiasm and commitment by local volunteers and their communities.

Find out What's On in your area (opens in a new window)!
Visit the Live & Local Blog (opens in a new window) for the latest news, reviews and stories

Are you a local artist or arts organisation?

We are always looking at ways of increasing opportunities for artists and creative industries in the Borough, particularly new artists or arts organisations and endeavour to work with local artists where possible for our projects.

If you are an artist or arts organisation working in the Borough of Erewash please get in touch with us and we'll add you to our list of contacts.

You can send your details to us via email artsdev@erewash.gov.uk or you can call us on 0845 9072244.

You can also find/place listings and get help and resources at artsderbyshire.org.uk (opens in a new window).