Arts & Culture

Continuing the cultural impact of London 2012 by funding inclusive arts projects which improve individual and community wellbeing.

Arts and cultural participation has a significant role in creating happier people and happier places, but how?

And how can we create opportunities for the people who would most benefit, but are most commonly excluded, to participate as equals? Our funding has focused on the social impact of events, from UK City of Culture to Women of the World and Eurovision, with projects that explored how we can remove barriers to access for marginalised groups such as disabled people and carers. We’re learning what works about the long-term impact of cultural events in promoting inclusion, improving wellbeing, and creating a sense of belonging.

The London 2012 Opening Ceremony and Cultural Olympiad demonstrated the power of events to bring us together. In our Inquiry into the Power of Events, we recommend that more events should be designed to build common ground across divides.

Music Research & Learning Wellbeing

Carers Music Fund

On June 23rd 2021, Spirit of 2012 hosted a virtual summit to share practical guidance on how to design and implement music programmes which improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness for unpaid female carers

Cohesion Connected Communities Loneliness Project evaluations Wellbeing

Creative Arts East: Our Day Out

An evaluation report from Our Day Out, a participatory arts project which brought wellbeing and connection to people in Norfolk with dementia and long-term heath conditions.

Arts & Culture Disability Inclusion Legacy of Events Project evaluations

Birmingham 2022: Critical Mass

An evaluation report from Critical Mass, an inclusive dance project which featured as part of the Birmingham 2022 Cultural Festival

Arts

Carers’ Music Fund

Nationwide

The Carers’ Music Fund put women and girls with caring responsibilities front and centre, providing opportunities for fun, creative expression and self (re)-discovery through music making.

Older People Wellbeing

Our Day Out

England Norwich

Spirit funded Creative Arts East to deliver Our Day Out, a unique dementia-friendly programme of creative arts for rurally-isolated older people in Norfolk.

Arts Disabled people

Viewfinder

England Newcastle upon Tyne

Beacon Film’s Viewfinder programme was a talent development initiative that supported filmmakers with disabilities, autism and additional needs

carers Carers’ Music Fund loneliness music wellbeing women and girls