Introduction:
Arts for Rutland is a Registered Charity committed to enabling and supporting the arts in Rutland.
It consists of a small volunteer committee that aims to be representative of the county’s arts organisations and various creative disciplines.
We believe that art is:
- something created with imagination and skill, which is beautiful, or that expresses ideas or feelings
- wide-ranging and all inclusive
- giving rise to an ‘emotional response’
What are the creative disciplines supported by Arts for Rutland?
- Visual arts: painting / sculpture / printmaking / drawing / decorative art / photography / ceramic / mosaic / glass / textiles / jewellery / illustration / installation
- Performing arts: music / dance / drama
- Creative writing
Purpose / Objectives:
What does enabling and supporting the arts in Rutland mean to Arts for Rutland?
- Enabling the production and display of all forms of art (through our open art exhibitions)
- Bringing individuals and groups together, from a wide range of creative disciplines, to develop connections, grow networks and share ideas and best practices
- Helping to connect artists to audiences
- Running events in artistic disciplines where there are known or identifiable ‘gaps’ e.g.
- creative writing exhibition
- classical music ‘open mic’ night
- Offering support (Grant Scheme) to improve quality / open doors and enable others to share skills and experience
Our Audiences:
Who are our audience / Who are we trying to engage with?
Our primary audiences are people who live, work or visit Rutland, but without excluding those in the surrounding counties, and are focussed on three main groups:
- Individual artists
- Arts organisations / groups
- Members of the public who want to engage with and enjoy art in Rutland – local residents and visitors
Additionally, we are keen to grow relationships with:
- individuals, groups or companies, who can support and enable the growth of arts in Rutland
- individuals who are keen to volunteer their time to support artistic events in Rutland
Activities / Resources:
Current / Regular Events & Activities
- Rutland Open Art Exhibition:
- Annual event (late summer / early autumn) with prizes
- Entry fee
- All artwork for sale
- Open to artists and designer-makers from Rutland, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire
- Mediums: painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative art, photography (including digital), ceramic, mosaic, glass, textiles, jewellery, illustration
- Rutland Youth Open Exhibition:
- Annual event (spring) with prizes
- Free entry
- Open to all young Artists, living, or at school in Rutland in school year groups 7 through to 13
- Mediums: painting, drawing, ceramic, sculpture, textiles and photography
- Cinema for Rutland:
- Monthly event at Rutland County Museum
- Supported / run by a team of volunteers
- Ticketed
- Drama for Rutland:
- Ad-hoc events at Rutland County Museum (minimum once annually)
- Supported / run by a team of volunteers
- Ticketed
Resources
- Grants:
- Available for individuals and groups
- Eligibility criteria applies
- Find details at https://www.a4r.org.uk/support/project-fund/
- Equipment Loan:
- Following an audit of equipment, and ongoing discussions with Rutland County Museum, Arts for Rutland no longer have equipment for loan available.
Future events
An event to bring people together to see what ideas are generated by artists and groups within Rutland, to understand what people are looking for, and identify ways for people to be able to work collaboratively together.
Arts for Rutland are hoping to plan a ‘Big Arts Meet’ in 2025
