6 Inspiring Arts Charities

When creativity is paired with generosity, it can produce moving and powerful collaborations, building organizations that expand access to culture or provide help to struggling performers and creators. The following groups, listed here in no particular order, harness imagination and enthusiasm in support of the arts.

Kicking us off at #1 is Music at Paxton, a charitable organisation dedicated to bringing chamber music to a wide audience, for purposes of inspiration and cultural enrichment. This group produces an annual festival with performances ranging from Celtic folk songs to classical compositions, in a historic Palladian mansion near the border of Scotland and England. Their programs feature up-and-coming musicians as well as internationally renowned celebrities.

Along with its signature summer event, Music at Paxton works with local partners to bring performances to venues including schools, care homes, and day care centers. The organization also offers taster concerts that provide a preview of the festival itself. Its online video series shares insights and renditions from notable voices in the industry.

Next on our list at #2 is PEER, an independent organisation bringing art into the everyday life of its community in the Hoxton area of East London. The group provides a public space for relaxation and art appreciation with its pocket park Khadija's Garden, and its gallery's glass facade turns the street into a viewing area for the pieces within. PEER hosts a variety of exhibitions from contemporary creators, like Rosalind Fowler's film and sculptural installation, BREADROCK, and the kaleidoscopic arrangements of Simon English's Smile Please.

The group offers creative opportunities to people from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, with initiatives like its Hoxton Free Art School and its many open workshops. The Ambassadors program provides paid gallery experience for local youth, along with opportunities to learn from established artists and visit cultural attractions. The organization also recruits area residents for community improvement efforts like the Arden Gardeners project.

Entry #3 is Artsreach, a registered charity bringing theater, music, and dance to rural communities across England's Dorset county. The group's touring performers offer entertainment ranging from interpretations of classics like The Tempest, to inventive contemporary shows like the Chaplin-inspired silent play The Strongman. There are also a variety of workshops for attendees interested in learning new skills from creative professionals.

Artsreach has many programs for young people, including kid-friendly shows like The Story Boat, as well as a variety of arts classes and craft sessions. The organization runs numerous participatory projects to engage locals in creative endeavors, such as the Ridgeway Writing poetry workshops and the Bincombe Geocache Trail youth storytelling initiative. Many of its efforts work to enhance public appreciation for the area's iconic landscapes and artistic history.

#4 on the list is Music Support, which provides assistance for members of the UK music industry who struggle with issues of mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Founded by longtime professionals in the field who are familiar with its specific stresses and challenges, this nonprofit offers an encouraging community for those in recovery, and supportive services like a helpline staffed by trained volunteers with personal experience of the industry.

Music Support offers online twelve step meetings for those dealing with issues of addiction, as well as assistance for people experiencing mental health crises. The group has created Safe Hubs at festivals across the country, providing alcohol and drug free backstage spaces and advice from qualified volunteers. Other efforts include a variety of mental health first aid courses, and educational outreach to raise awareness about wellness issues in the music profession.

At #5 is Acting for Others, which provides support to theater workers in times of need, serving as a unified fundraising arm for its member charities. The organizations making up this collaborative effort include resources for those who have retired from performing, such as Dancers' Career Development or the Denville Hall residential home, as well as relief funds for professionals who are injured or in financial distress.

Acting for Others recruits industry members as Ambassadors, to raise awareness of the organization's work and encourage giving. Those who have received support from the group share their stories with the public, and the Golden Bucket Awards honor those who have made substantial contributions to this initiative's mission.

We'll conclude with #6, Grimm & Co, a literacy charity encouraging creativity and artistic self-confidence in young people. The group leads free writing workshops inside its Apothecary to the Magical, a whimsical fantasy-themed gift shop designed to stimulate the imagination. Field trips and after-school programs are also offered, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.

Other offerings include immersive theater experiences like The Inside Story and events enabling workshop participants to hear their writing read or performed before an audience. The organization creates large-scale projects such as the Embassy for Reimagining Rotherham, an invitation for local children to envision improvements to their city. Grimm & Co's shop sells imaginative gifts and apparel, including wands, journals, and storytelling games, to support its charity work.