People Express is a professional arts organisation, based in Swadlincote, that works primarily with and for the communities of South Derbyshire. People Express believe that everyone has creative potential. Our job is to help create the projects and bring together the artists that will inspire and support people to take part in the arts, design and make their own artwork and use these achievements to help make positive changes to their lives and the communities around them. People Express is here to help you get involved in the arts.
At any one time in the year we are usually working on up to three major projects that we have both researched the need and raised funding for (Innovation Programme), and we are also supporting several local groups to develop and run their own projects (Responsive Programme). We aim to share the responsibility of the planning and progress of projects with the participants and local people, in this way community groups become local arts groups, gradually take on running the projects or starting a new project by themselves.
At any one time in the year we are usually working on up to three major projects that we have both researched the need and raised funding for (Innovation Programme), and we are also supporting several local groups to develop and run their own projects (Responsive Programme). We aim to share the responsibility of the planning and progress of projects with the participants and local people, in this way community groups become local arts groups, gradually take on running the projects or starting a new project by themselves.
This type of approach, that encourages grassroots community involvement and active participation, is a particular way of working based on the principles of (what is widely known as) 'participatory and community arts' practice. The role of the professional artist is to assist with progress, passing on their skills and using them to lead and inspire when needed and then to step back, support and encourage. It is the participants (of any age and ability) and the group working together that become the writers, performers, designers, creators and makers.
