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 East Renfrewshire News
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
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
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
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
Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir
Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MORE
First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards
Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!
READ MORE
Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History
Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.
READ MORE
Sport and physical activity champions recognised at awards
Sports and physical activity champions from across East Renfrewshire have been recognised for their contributions.
READ MORE
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign
The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
READ MORE
Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol
With the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!
READ MORE
Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it
Seachdain na Gàidhlig will return in 2026, under the banner Use It or Lose It – and organisers are encouraging people across Scotland and the global diaspora to get behind the rallying cry.
READ MORE
Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge
Brits are now picking up the cafetière, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts revealing a 10% rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels and resorts in the past year.
READ MORE
Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue
Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.
READ MORE
Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season
Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.
READ MORE
CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween
Children's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!
READ MORE
Braehead secures SuperPark, Global Leisure Brand, for its UK debut
Global indoor leisure and recreation concept SuperPark will make its UK debut at Braehead Shopping Centre, bringing experience-led leisure to the centre next year!
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Libraries announce thrilling events for Dead Good October
East Renfrewshire libraries have lined up a series of thrilling events for Dead Good October, featuring author events, crime cafes, Harry Potter Day, family fun and more!
READ MORE
SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service join forces for Blood Cancer Awareness Month
For the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.
READ MORE
Young readers celebrate reading challenge success
Hundreds of young readers in East Renfrewshire are celebrating after completing this year's Summer Reading Challenge!
READ MORE
Netherlee nurse praises life changing local fitness programme
A retired midwife from Netherlee has praised her local gym for “totally transforming her life”.
READ MORE
Green Flag flies in Cowan Park for first time
The Green Flag has been raised in Cowan Park for the first time, following the Barrhead park being awarded the accolade this summer.
READ MORE
Singer Peter Cox set for intimate show at Eastwood Theatre
Eastwood Theatre has announced an intimate show with singer-songwriter Peter Cox.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links