Impact Arts celebrates 30 years of changing lives in Scotland and puts the call out for stories
On 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland's leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.
Article Source: Impact Arts
Last Updated: 18 July 2024 13:32
Since it was established by Susan Aktemel in 1994, Impact Arts has embarked on a mission to tackle social inequality using creativity and art, improving the lives of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people in communities all over the country. Over the years the charity has been behind hundreds of projects, from large-scale public art to music projects with the likes of Amy Macdonald and Hector Bizerk, live theatre to pop-up cafes, and interior design workshops to creative learning with those in the criminal justice system. Since 1994 more than 300,000 people have been engaged in or supported by their work, with projects winning numerous awards and accolades.
Early projects included the creation of the Woodlands Mosaic Bollards in Glasgow’s West End in 1997, which continue to bring colour and vibrancy to the area today. Other community artworks have included the Linkes Mosaic Mural in Knightswood, first created in 2005, and local young people creating stained glass windows to brighten the Pineview Housing Association homes in Drumchapel.
In 2003 Impact Arts launched Fab Pad, which supported hundreds of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to sustain their tenancies through creative interior design workshops. The project was delivered right across central Scotland, including at one point taking over a whole floor of the Red Road flats in North Glasgow with a “showroom” and workshop, helping many tenants to transform their homes on a budget while learning valuable new skills. The project ran until 2015, and continues today as Make It Your Own, supporting vulnerable tenants to help transform their home lives.
Today Impact Arts continues to push boundaries with its life-changing charity work from its bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Irvine. It continues to welcome older communities struggling with social isolation, improving the wellbeing and attainment of children via art therapy, and empowering teens and young adults through employability programmes such as Creative Pathways, and CashBack to the Future, which is currently running with groups in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and North Ayrshire.
Since 2023 Impact Arts has been based at The Boardwalk in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, transforming the building into a purpose-built creative and accessible events venue, boasting a 180-capacity theatre, seven studios and meetings rooms capable of hosting everything from dance rehearsals and creative workshops to corporate events and conferences. The Boardwalk is proving a popular choice for businesses and public bodies looking to support the broad work of the charity when booking event space.
As well as being home to many of Impact Arts’s own projects, The Boardwalk also hosts many of the country’s leading creative organisations, from permanent theatrical tenants like Solar Bear and Birds of Paradise, to dance studios brought to life by the likes of S-MB Company and The Work Room, and transformative creative engagement charities like Playlist for Life and Inspiring Scotland.
On 22 August The Boardwalk will host a special 30th anniversary celebration, with stakeholders, former participants, and friends of Impact Arts invited to relive highlights from past projects and see recent work by a range of groups including some of the work created as part of this year’s Cashback Summer programmes.
Today the charity launched its call for those who have been impacted by their work to get in touch and share their stories which it will incorporate in its August celebrations. People can fill in a form online at forms.office.com or email 30thAnniversary@impactarts.co.uk
Fiona Doring, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Arts, said: “Impact Arts was born out of the recognition that taking part in arts and creative activities can be life changing. For 30 years we have built on this philosophy to support the people and communities across Scotland, who are least likely to have access to the arts, to tackle the big issues preventing them from achieving their potential.
Impact Arts has been at the heart of positive change for thousands of people’s lives and as we turn 30, we are taking time to reflect upon and celebrate the stories of all of these individual people for whom engaging in arts projects has been transformational.”
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Pizza Punks fire up an all new menu with 1000 free pizzas
Dive into Autumn with Pizza Punks' all-new menu featuring the 'Nduja Mac Daddy, Smash Burger Pizza, Double Pepperoni & Burrata and more!
READ MORE
Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice
Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.
READ MORE
Silverburn named UK Retail Destination of the Year
Silverburn has been named as 'Retail Destination of the Year' at the 2025 SCEPTRE Awards, the Oscars of retail, recognising its exceptional performance and contribution to the UK's retail industry.
READ MORE
CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will bring his brand new tour to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher has announced that his brand-new live theatre tour Justin Time To Rock will now continue into Spring 2026, with final tour dates just announced.
READ MORE
No tricks, just treats at Silverburn this Halloween
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, is the place to be for a selection of fang-tastic Halloween events this October!
READ MORE
Priscilla Queen of the Desert announces full casting including Strictly champion
The full cast have been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, including Strictly champion Kevin Clifton!
READ MORE
Sleigh bells ring early! Brand new Christmas fair at SEC announced as tickets go on sale
Deck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.
READ MORE
Build up to Glasgow 2026 continues with new indoor bowling world record
Fans bowled over as celebrities and sports stars help set new record for world's largest bowls lesson as Glasgow 2026 ticket fever builds!
READ MORE
New year round Collaboration to make Outdoor Adventure accessible for All
The Yard, Foxlake and Wild Shore Dundee launch official partnership to deliver a year-round programme of inclusive activities, training, and support across three regions of Scotland.
READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Casting announced for Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes and Peter Duncan amongst the full cast announced who join previously announced Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) for Priscilla Queen of the Desert tour 2026.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
The biggest community panto in Glasgow is back
Halo Arts is thrilled to announce the return of its annual community panto project, with this year's production of Pinocchio.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections 2026 unveils packed programme of unmissable world and roots music
Festival to set the tone for Glasgow's year of unforgettable international events!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries offers chances to win in the Great Gift Card Giveaway
£1,000 in Glasgow Gift Cards will be given away in the city centre shopping mall between 20th October to 2nd November.
READ MORE
The List Eat & Drink 365 guide to launch in Glasgow
A new print publication covering the eating and drinking scene in Glasgow follows the successful launch of Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh earlier this year.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival celebrates incredible 11th edition in Glasgow
Thousands of music fans descended on Glasgow's iconic East End for Scotland's festival of music discovery!
READ MORE
Major fashion retailer steps back into Silverburn
Popular footwear and sportswear retailer, Footasylum, is returning to Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, as the latest addition to its fashion offering.
READ MORE
Scottish icons swap stage for studio in bold new printmaking project
Alan Cumming, Franz Ferdinand, The Bluebells and More Join 'Call & Response' – a bold new printmaking collaboration from Glasgow Print Studio.
READ MORE
Jo Malone London arrives at Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has announced that British fragrance house, Jo Malone London, has opened its doors today.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE
Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign
Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MORE
Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MORE
Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MORE
Merry go round Celebrates National Lottery Boost for Volunteers
Glasgow charity and social enterprise Merry-go-round is celebrating after receiving £18,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
READ MORE
SAMH takes The Nook on tour across Glasgow
A specially created preview of The Nook mental health support hub will be popping up in some of Glasgow’s most renowned locations.
READ MORE
Popular independent lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas confirmed for Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has announced it has secured popular independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer, Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Romesh Ranganathan to join Sheridan Smith in Woman in Mind at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Romesh Ranganathan will make his stage debut in a new production of Alan Ayckbourn's psychological comedy Woman In Mind, in a strictly limited engagement at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.
READ MORE
Original cast of Horrible Histories take to the stage at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
The Theatre Royal, Glasgow has announced an additional performance of Horrible Histories – The Concert coming to the venue from Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links