Waveney & Blyth Arts promotes the distinct cultural identity of this beautiful area of north Suffolk and south Norfolk through exciting arts projects and events. We support the work of local creative people and arts organisations, and help to build connections between people and places. The core of our programme is about celebrating ‘place’. Our annual programme offers a lens to view and experience the landscape, market towns and coastal areas in our micro-region.
We work across the towns and surrounding areas of Diss, Harleston, Bungay, Beccles, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth along the river Waveney, and also the areas around Halesworth and Southwold in the Blyth valley.
Our programme
- Celebrate – an annual environmental arts programme of activities inspired by the area, including themed creative walks, performances, exhibitions and workshops, running from summer to autumn
- Sculpture in the Valley – an annual sculpture event which attracts 5000 visitors, celebrates art in the landscape and showcases excellent arts work from across the area
- Arts & Eats – sociable lunchtime events in inspiring cultural venues across the area with guest speakers or performers and a chance to meet others, held annually or bi-annually
- Thrilling Thursdays – bringing together expert speakers, creative responses and like-minded people around fascinating subjects linked to the natural world, held annually or bi-annually
- Two weekly newsletters – promoting our W&BA programme alongside member’s creative events, and listings of local jobs and opportunities across the wider region
- Themed conferences, networking opportunities and an Annual General Meeting (in November) with speakers from the regional arts & culture sector
Management Committee & Next Generation team
Waveney & Blyth Arts is run by a Management Committee who meet monthly. The voting members are our Chair – Genevieve Rudd, Vice Chair – Melinda Appleby, Secretary – Jo Butcher, Treasurer – Katie Ferdinand, and up to 2 Local Co-ordinators representing each of the W&BA areas. Our programme is developed by this Committee, and led by local volunteers, writers, artists, historians, ecologists and residents.
Within this Committee, a Next Generation team was founded and voted in at the 2019 AGM made up of Genevieve Rudd, Hatty Lieth, Jo Butcher and Katie Ferdinand. The team are developing a succession strategy and vision for W&BA, including developing the aims and objectives, management committee composition, constitution, and a new look for the annual sculpture event and Celebrate programme. They are building upon 10 years of W&BA work supported by experienced long-term and founding members Nicky Stainton, Greg Tebble, Simon Raven and Netta Swallow in a mentoring capacity.