The Havant Borough Council Arts Development service aims to provide a broad and accessible programme of creative arts activities, events and opportunities for local residents of all ages and abilities.  Projects are delivered by working in partnership with arts organisations, community venues, youth groups and other agencies. 

To browse through the Arts pages and for information on projects in the Borough, local arts organisations, galleries, festivals and funding advice, please see the menu at the bottom of this page >>

Preparations are currently taking place for this year's May Days Arts Trail. The May Days Arts Trail is an ever-growing annual visual arts open studios event that will take place in artists' homes, studios and community venues across the Borough between 2-17th May 2009, over three weekends. For further details on the May Days Arts Trail 2009, please click here.

Sat 2 & Sun 3 May 2009     - Emsworth Arts Trail Artists

Sat 9 & Sun 10 May 2009   - Hayling Island Arts Trail Artists

Sat 16 & Sun 17 May 2009 - Havant, Leigh Park and Waterlooville Arts Trail Artists

Ongoing projects include free holiday arts activities such as break dancing, street art and circus skills provided through StreetSport – a partnership project supported by Havant Borough Council and Guinness Hermitage (external website). 

Arts and creative activities bring people together - to practise, rehearse, view, perform and exhibit - and can help develop community cohesion and pride of place.  Involvement in creative projects can provide opportunities for lifelong learning, to raise self esteem and have positive health benefits through participation in social and physical activity.  Vibrant communities and a thriving cultural environment encourage business, tourism and residents to appreciate the benefits of living, visiting and working in the borough.
 
The definition of the creative arts includes, but is not limited to, dance, drama, graphic and industrial design, architecture, digital arts, literature, media, film, music, photography, visual arts and crafts.

The responsibilities of the Arts Development service are outlined in the Cultural Strategy Action Plan 2005-8 (PDF 85KB). The strategy is currently being updated and is due for release in Spring 2009.