Circular Arts Network
As part of our mission to support the creative and cultural sector, we set out to develop practical circularity solutions tailored to the specific needs of West Yorkshire’s creative community. This journey began in 2021 with interviews conducted among SAIL members, aimed at understanding existing circularity practices and identifying which solutions they most needed.
100% of members expressed that a ‘free cycle for the arts’, would be highly valuable for organisations, independent creatives, and students. This was further agreed upon from our Circularity Working Group, established in 2023, which confirmed that a resource sharing platform was essential to facilitate material exchange and curb the large volumes of creative waste that either up in waste streams or sit unused in storage, despite their potential for repurposing.
In collaboration with the Sculpture Placement Group, we adapted their Circular Arts Network Platform to address the specific needs of Yorkshire’s creative community, enabling the reuse of materials, equipment, props, and intangible resources like time, skills, and transport. This one-stop, accessible platform allows resources to be shared widely, helping to overcome one of the biggest challenges facing creative organisations: the time-consuming task of finding others interested in their available assets.
The Circular Arts Network is a key part of our mission to support a circular economy in the creative and cultural sector. Unlike a linear ‘take-make-waste’ model, a circular economy extends the life cycle of materials by encouraging reuse, repair, and recycling. This partnership with the Sculpture Placement Group is a significant step in broadening the Circular Arts Network across the UK. In alignment with the Arts Council England’s Circular Economy Networks Research Project published in April 2024, this platform aims to make resource sharing more accessible and encourage sustainable practices throughout the UK’s creative industries.
By empowering Yorkshires creative community with a practical tool for sharing, the Circular Arts Network Platform represents a crucial step forward in creative a more sustainable creative economy. With more users signing up every day, the platform is steadily growing, and we anticipate even greater engagement as word spreads and creatives see the benefits of resource sharing firsthand.
Join the SAIL Circular Arts Network Today
Want to join the community? Create your account, visit the platform, and start sharing!
If you’d like to receive weekly updates on new posts and available materials, be sure to sign up for the SAIL Circular Arts Network Mailing List by clicking the link below.