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Wiltshire Creativity Network

Wiltshire Creativity Network ......

When creative people get together the ideas inevitably flow – and the results include new projects and partnerships. It’s one of the reasons for setting up organisations like the Wiltshire Creativity Network, which brings together artists and people who are interested in culture and creativity.

Wiltshire Creativity Network is still a relatively young social enterprise and the idea for the organisation came from Veronica Sandall. Like many social enterprises the organisation seems to have grown organically.

“There is a lot happening in Devizes and the surrounding area, and initially we thought it would be good to club together and collaborate. Personally I hoped it would give my own work some impetus,” Veronica explains.

She goes on to say: “Very quickly the idea grew to a network for Devizes, Kennet and the surrounding area, and eventually to the whole of Wiltshire. The committee decided to broaden it and that’s one of the advantages of being a social enterprise – the organisation can grow and change to reflect the interests of the people involved.”

Wiltshire Creativity Network provides support to artists, networking opportunities, and a place to share skills. Importantly it’s also a forum for the wider public to mix with artists and help drive forward cultural change within the county.

The network is looking for a home and Veronica says that finding a base is an important part of its growth. “It’s the scary part because it needs funding, but that is also what helps to drive the organisation forward.”

Currently the enterprise is operating as an unincorporated community association, with a written constitution. But that means the people involved have unlimited liability and Veronica says that she expects more people to throw themselves into it once they have limited liability.

“Being a social enterprise is the ideal middle ground between being a business and a community group,” she adds. “We are providing a service, we’re giving people support, but we’re trading and ensuring a healthy future for the organisation.”