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
How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler
Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.
READ MORE
Glasgow Life confirms the return of Aye Write Book Festival in November 2025
Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, will return in November 2025, Glasgow Life has confirmed.
READ MORE
Extra date added for Paw Patrol Live!
Due to high demand, PAW Patrol Live! has added an extra performance at Glasgow's SEC Armadillo at 10.45am on Saturday 2nd August!
READ MORE
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals return of The Hangout... home of secret sets
The countdown to Scotland's biggest live music event is on as this week marks 50 days to go until Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT returns to Glasgow Green from 11th to 13th July!
READ MORE
First Bus celebrates Glasgow 850 with over 7,500 free bus journeys
Everyone attending next weekend's Clyde Chorus live music event will get a free First Bus two-trip ticket to travel sustainably to and from the festivities.
READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open
Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!
READ MORE
Glasgow 850 Festival Fund sees a further five city festivals receive funding and 44 community projects awarded small grants
More than £60,000 awarded to established and local groups to support a varied programme of events and activities across the city.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort appoints nine year old as Chief Fun Officer
Glasgow Fort has officially hired its most important new team member yet - a Chief Fun Officer (CFO)!
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!
Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!
READ MORE
Casting announced for Here & Now
The producers of the brand new musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation, Steps, are delighted to announce the principal cast for the UK & Ireland tour!
READ MORE
Gorbals school children amongst first to benefit as Citizens Theatre marks new era of community engagement
Theatre's landmark new Participate programme offers Glasgow communities creative opportunities to grow, inspire and connect.
READ MORE
Glasgow 850: Fringe events announced
Fringe events announced for Clyde Chorus as Glasgow marks 850th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Free Pret Sandwiches For PicNICs This Bank Holiday
This May Bank Holiday Pret Edinburgh and Glasgow will be giving away free sandwiches to the first 50 customers called Nick, Nicole, or anyone whose name starts with ‘Nic’.
READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.
READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland
Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.
READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland
Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.
READ MORE
Smash hit production of The Red Shoes returns to Glasgow
New Adventures is delighted to bring Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of THE RED SHOES to the King's Theatre, Glasgow in January!
READ MORE
Bruadar toasts World Bee Day with honey infused cocktails in bars across Scotland
Limited-edition serves launched across top Scottish bars using honey from Aberargie Distillery's resident bees.
READ MORE
Aldi Scottish Sport Fund offers Glasgow and West of Scotland clubs the chance to access funding
Aldi's Scottish Sport Fund 2025 has returned for its tenth year, giving local sports clubs in Glasgow and the West of Scotland the opportunity to receive a share of £50,000 in funding.
READ MORE
Gael & Grain opens in the West End: A Fresh Celebration of Scottish Hospitality
The much-anticipated Gael & Grain is now officially open, bringing a bold new vision to the city's West End.
READ MORE
King Pins offers free bowling to anyone called Colin
Ahead of opening on 26th June in Silverburn Shopping Centre, King Pins is offering a free round of bowling to anyone named Colin, with bookings now live!
READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Flight Club Glasgow unveils glorious summer cocktails
With the weather heating up, cocktail drinking season is upon us, and Flight Club Glasgow has just dropped a banger of a drinks list to crack through this summer!
READ MORE
Piping Live! festival and World Pipe Band Championships have officially launched for 2025!
Glasgow will hit the high notes this August as Scotland, the global home of piping, looks forward to the world's biggest week of bagpipes with the return of two iconic events!
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
ICW Says Goodbye to the Home of Scottish Wrestling
ICW will bid farewell to the Asylum with emotional weekend of events next month.
READ MORE
One man show brings all the emotions to the Tron Theatre... as well as dogs!
Man's Best Friend brings Douglas Maxwell's award-winning combination of humour, emotion – and for the first time, dogs to the Tron Theatre!
READ MORE
Meatopia gives Glasgow a taste of what is to come and reveals full chef, and music, line up
Legendary fire-cooking festival Meatopia is coming to Scotland for the first time, taking over SWG3 Glasgow from 6th – 8th June.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links