Saffron Walden Arts Trust

HOW IT ALL STARTED
The Saffron Walden Arts Trust emerged from the Friends of Saffron Walden Corn Exchange which was formed in 1975 to provide Walden with a supported arts venue within the library space. The expansion of library activities in the Corn Exchange in the late 1990s by Essex County Council caused the loss of this space, and as a result the Friends decided, in April 2000, to transform the organisation into the Saffron Walden Arts Trust and campaign for a dedicated arts facility.

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW
SWAT is an umbrella organisation which coordinates, encourages, and promotes artistic enterprises of all kinds in the Saffron Walden area.
It has set up the Riverslade Gallery to showcase the work of local artists, and continues to be involved in the Saffron Screen community cinema. SWAT has organised a number of arts fairs in Saffron Walden, and has recently developed a website called www.ArtsInWalden.org.uk which is a calendar of arts events in the area.
SWAT has a vision to turn Saffron Walden into a recognised regional centre of excellence for the arts, and seeks to clearly demonstrate the need for better provision for the arts. It is campaigning for the establishment of a dedicated and sustainable Arts Centre for the Saffron Walden community which will provide proper facilities for visual and performing arts and be a cultural centre and a focal point for the area.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Saffron Walden Arts Trust raises funds by subscription, and by joining the Arts Trust you can help promote the campaign for the arts centre in Saffron Walden, as well as supporting SWAT’s current work on providing practical support to arts groups and raising awareness of arts events in the area. We particularly welcome members from the visual or performing arts since we are keen to represent the views of the widest range of artistic interests when lobbying for better provision for the Arts. The cost of membership is small, but the work of the Trust will be of inestimable value to the Saffron Walden district – and administration costs are minimal since SWAT is entirely run by volunteers.
Members receive a regular newsletter, and can attend the AGM where they may help to influence the future direction of the Arts Trust

Want to join SWAT? Click here to contact SWAT

SWAT Launches new website

Called ArtsInWalden, the new website is dedicated to local arts events. The attractive and simple to use website is intended as the comprehensive guide for Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages. All arts events taking place in the locality can be listed on the site, either directly by the organisers or through SWAT. All arts events from the full range of music genres, visual arts (both as groups or individuals), film, performing arts to poetry and book readings are welcome on the site. It has an easy to navigate calendar format, details of events and links to other arts related sites.

SWAT hopes that organisers, and performers will, through their participation, make it the most comprehensive local arts guide. The site was developed in conjunction with the Tourist Information Centre and the Saffron Walden Initiative who are represented on SWAT and part funded by a Saffron Walden Round Table Carnival 2008 donation.

Click here if you wish to contact SWAT or contribute to this website.