This is the first of what shall be monthy VAA updates, where I'll give a run down - long or short, depends how busy my VAA schedule is! - of all the Voluntary Arts Ambassador-ing I've been doing over the month. To find out more about what a VAA is check my earlier post here. This has been the first month since I became official VAA that I've been able to really get started, and its been pretty exciting so far! Give it a read below, and if you can think of anyone who might like to read it also (I'm looking at you - people of the arts world in Aberdeen!) then SHARE SHARE SHARE! My main aim just now is to make contact with as many local arts and crafts voluntary groups as is humanly possible, along with anyone who is able to represent the voice of local arts and crafts groups at a higher level. So if you fall into either of these categories then get in touch - you can email vaa-aberdeencity@vascotland.org.uk and/or add me on Facebook, under "Voluntary Arts Ambassador Aberdeen."
Happy reading!
First Key Meeting
So on April 30th I met with Carol Stobie from VA Scotland, and Mike Melvin from ACVO for my first key meeting. This was a chance for me as VAA to connect to my local volunteer centre, and for VA Scotland and the Volunteer Centre to meet to discuss how best to support and represent the voluntary arts world. We talked about how arts in Aberdeen is becoming a hot topic just now what with the city's bid to become City of Culture 2017, and about how this is a great time to be VAA in the area. I came away with a lot of contacts to make: people from the bid team, various local arts and crafts groups, and people in the professional arts world who can help to support voluntary groups. I'm still making my way through the contacts but so far I've met some really helpful people! My main aim at this stage is to reach out to as many local, voluntary/amateur arts and crafts groups as possible. I can point groups towards Running Your Group, and sources of information, arts news, and funding opportunities, but even small, informal groups can benefit from being in touch with their local VAA. I often hear about free craft supply giveaways or local events of all shapes and forms, where local groups can get their hands on some goodies or get involved in events which might be of interest to them. Its my goal to make this happen as often as possible, and also to continue to make links with those involved in Community Planning so that if your wee group has any issues, I can try to bring that to the attention of the people who can really help. So, to return to the meeting, I came away with loads of great contacts to make courtesy of Mike (who is one of my favourite people ever) and I also signed myself up for a whole raft of promotional articles and interviews courtesy of ACVO's publications. So be expecting to see my face on a lotta stuff in the near future, and if you think you can help me on my mission then get in touch via the methods above!
ACVO e-bulletin
Speaking of my face being on a lot of things, the first appearance my mug made was in the ACVO e-bulletin (picture below). I sent them a "Meet your VAA" letter, introducing myself, VA Scotland and the role of the ambassador. I read the e-bulletins every week anyway (excellent source of discovering those free giveaways and events I was talking about above!) so it was a bit odd to open it up and find my face on page 6! But fun times, and it seems to be working because the ever-helpful networks man from ACVO got in touch and is compiling me a list of groups to get in touch with and has found a useful Facebook group for me to join too! So thank you to Simon, and if anyone else saw the poster and has been thinking of getting in touch - please do!
Interview for ACVO Magazine
And lastly but not leastly, just this morning I met with Sarah McGarva from, yup, you guessed it, ACVO, for an interview for their magazine. It was just a quick wee chat where I explained what I do as a VAA, what my aim is and how people can reach me. It'll be in the magazine at the end of June so keep an eye out for that, once it becomes available I'll post a link to it here. I must say, I really do owe the ACVO team a massive thank you! They have made my job soooo much easier, and I've heard on the grapevine that not all local Volunteer Centres and Community Planning folk are as open to arts and crafts groups as Aberdeen, so yay us and yay ACVO! That being said, I am aware I rely very heavily on them, so I'm looking for lots of help from other Aberdeen folks to make sure I represent and help as many people/groups as possible. So get in touch! Did I mention that already?!
And that's it!! There shall be more next month, and fingers crossed I'll be able to namedrop a whoooole TONNE of amateur arts and crafts groups in Aberdeen which you can join and which I can help! Once again, get in touch by checking my VAA Facebook page, or emailing vaa-aberdeencity@vascotland.org.uk
Over and out!
Naomi
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