Voluntary Arts Week takes place across the UK and Republic of Ireland and in 2013 will be launched from Derry~Londonderry as part of the City of Culture celebrations. Voluntary Arts Week is a chance to celebrate the wonderful arts and crafts activity being carried out by amateur groups. Organised by Voluntary Arts, the week long event is an opportunity for groups to showcase their work, and encourage others to join them. There will be amateur art activities throughout the city building on the city’s strong tradition of amateur arts and crafts. Groups can get involved by holding an open rehearsal or taster session, putting on a special show or exhibition, taking their art or craft form out into the public domain or simply badging an existing event with ‘Voluntary Arts Week’. Keep up to date on all the festivities and find out what events are on near you on the Voluntary Arts Week website www.voluntaryartsweek.org.