The Arts Society Falmouth
Heritage Volunteers, Trails of Discovery, Young Arts and Church Recording
Volunteering with The Arts Society Falmouth
Being part of one of our volunteering projects gives our members a chance to make new friends and socialise whilst learning new skills with people who have similar interests. There is a range of opportunities to become involved in research and conservation, share a passion for the arts with others and enjoy knowing that our Society is making a difference within our local community.
Watch a short video on Volunteering Volunteering with The Arts Society
We have also undertaken projects referred to as Church Recording. Select the option from the side menu to find out more.
Heritage Volunteers
Conservation and preservation of our heritage are tremendous burdens on the limited resources of museums, National Trust properties, historic houses, libraries and gardens. Volunteers help them in non-specialist but vital ways by caring for collections, recording documents, guiding and stewarding. Heritage Volunteers help to keep our heritage accessible for all.
The Arts Society Falmouth has been involved with projects such as costume conservation at the Helston Folk Museum, and documentation of the Jewish Cemetery in Falmouth. One of the longest running and still active projects is at the Bartlett Research Centre and Library, National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
All groups work with enthusiasm and expertise and their efforts are greatly appreciated by the Museums. We are pleased to say that our teams have gained National Recognition for their work and in 2016, one of our Volunteers won a prestigious National Award.
To see in more detail some of the work that has been and is currently being undertaken, click on the links below:
Book Conservation Group currently working in the Bartlett Research Centre and Library at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
Helston Museum the extensive costume collection was photographed, catalogued and properly stored.
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Churchyard Recording Group worked at St. Mawnan Church researching graves which have a historical or social interest.
Exotic Plant History Group researched the part played by the ports of Falmouth and Penryn in bringing new plants to the UK.
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Elizabeth Warren Inspired by and following on from the Exotic Plant History Group project.
Nationwide Community Group researched lost plays written and performed during the First World War.
Nationwide Project with the Royal Philatelic Society London, worked on historic Engraving Books, deciphering important keywords and phrases to allow easier access for online research purposes.
Historic Building at Risk in Cornwall Project, currently lending support to this county wide project by identifying and monitoring historic and valued heritage buildings at risk in our local area.
Trails of Discovery
Trails of Discovery encourage youngsters between 8-12 years to explore places of worship in the company of an adult to discover the treasures to be found there. They introduce children to art, architecture, history and furnishings by following an interactive guide around the church prompting exploration of the stories behind the animals and people represented in the church iconography. Children’s Trails are produced by a sociable team of volunteers, each bringing their own skills but also having the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about churches and their history.
Our first project was at King Charles The Martyr in Falmouth. We have recently completed a trail at St Mylor Church.
Trail at King Charles The Martyr.
If anyone would like to create a trail for their church or if you know of a church that might welcome such a trail, please contact the Volunteers Representative.
Young Arts
Young Arts volunteers fundraise and give grants to arts projects for children and young people in their local area. In a time of cuts and changes to the national curriculum, this has never been more important. This group of volunteers aims to give more children and young people access to the arts.
Working with schools, museums and youth groups, Young Arts volunteers support a wide range of projects. They are passionate about the benefits that creativity and arts education can bring to children in early life and adolescence.
We are currently working with one school in our area:
- Penryn College - supporting an Art competition for 13-14 year olds
To see more about past Young Arts Projects with which The Arts Society Falmouth has been involved with click on the links below:
- Kennal Vale School
- Spectrum Mural Project
- Penryn College on-line Fashion Illustrators Course and Competition
- Cornwall Music Service Trust - CMST
If anyone would like to suggest suitable Young Arts Projects, please contact the Volunteers Representative.
Become Involved
If any of the above activities appeals to you, then we are always keen to have more members involved in these and future projects.
To find out more contact our Volunteers Representative volunteers@theartssocietyfalmouth.org.
