Advent Art
This festive online showcase for local artists was highly successful with the website generated over 2,500 hits during the advent period alone in the first year. After taking a break in 2008 it was relaunched in 2009 using social networking sites Twitter and Flickr to promote images from the collections enabling web vistors all over the world to experience us online.
Viewfinder Film Festival
The Virtual Arts Centre is proud to support Viewfinder, yet another quality example of creative activity happening in our county. Budding film-makers from across Gloucestershire, both amateur and professional, are invited to submit their work. Why not check out the Art Gallery & Museum's own submission for 2008 which was made to celebrate our Surrealism Returns exhibition?
Zeitgeist - Listen while Cheltenham Speaks
We collect recorded material from Cheltenham people in order to capture a range of unique perspectives on what it is like to live or work in Cheltenham today - and also reflections on the many changes the town has seen over the last 100 years during the lifetime of the Museum.
Listen online while the likes of Jonny the Big Issue vendor, Les the Cooper and Dicker the allotment keeper, reveal Cheltenham’s many secrets.
Rock School
An annual Rock School for young people in the town is based at Dean Close School. The course is open to all serious young musicians between the ages of 11 and 21 whether they're into rock, pop, funk, punk, jazz or hip hop.
The programme of workshops, seminars and practical sessions covers all aspects of musicianship; performance skills, forming and running a band, effective self promotion, use of web-based social networking sites, recording and production.
There is a charge to attend the course to cover tuition and materials but the Virtual Arts Centre and other local companies sponsor places to make the course freely available to young people who face financial or social barriers.
Contact Beyond Eternity for further information.
Concerts in the wards
In partnership with Arts in Trust, once a month a different musician plays concerts in different parts of the General Hospital and Delancy to entertain the patients (and staff!).
Poetry on the wards
Brenda began a residency in Oncology, working with out-patients and their carers during the first ArtLift project. She has since worked on the wards and we are pleased that the hospital cancer charity, FOCUS is committed, as we are, to supporting the continuation of this important project. Arts in Trust promote the therapeutic role of arts in Gloucestershire hospitals and also support this residency.
Clyde Crescent Youth Shelter
Residents and young people on the Whaddon estate have been consulted by the artist Ulf Mark Pedersen, who was commissioned to design and errect a youth shelter on Doorstep Green, Clyde Crescent. After giving in their wish lists and creative input the shelter was handed over to them in 2009.
The Moors in Motion
With local arts and media company, Creative Solutions, we worked with this extraordinary community for almost a year to create opportunities for the residents to particpate in the arts.
Taster sessions on the estate for adults, teenagers and children included jewellery making, circus skills and film-making.
These achievements culminated with a celebratory torchlit procession featuring floats made by children on the estate which led to a multi media event in St Peter's Church Hall where the fruits of their labour were memorably displayed.
Wychwood Festival
The Wychwood festival includes a fine selection of arts and sports workshops, family fun, local bands and musicians to complement the lineup of some of the most exciting live music around. For several years now, arts development grants have enabled interactive arts workshops to take their place as a vital part of their vibrant programme.