DIVA only exists because of it's members. The Membership provide DIVA's Management Board and a strong membership makes for a strong organisation with a powerful voice in local culture.

DIVA has a strong network of Groups and individuals who are involved in Voluntary Arts in the Wakefield District.
Each DIVA group member consists of tens, in some cases hundreds, of members and many of our individual members represent other arts and community groups.
Membership is also open to individuals and to larger organisations who want to support DIVA and the work we do in the Wakefield District.

Click here to see the current list of Diva members, both groups and individuals and
if you would like to join DIVA then click here


The latest opportunity for DIVA members to gather together was for our Annual General Meeting and the DIVA Voluntary Arts Awards on 7 July 2009 at Treacy Hall, Wakefield.

Click here to find out more about the evening and the worthy award winners for 2009.

DIVA Members'

Central Methodist Church, Pontefract was the scene of a weekend long DIVA Spring Showcase Event in April 2008 which saw a feast of art craft and music from DIVA's many art groups.
Over the Event packed Weekend we were treated to Evening Performances from

Castleford Male Voice Choir,
Knottingley Concert Brass,
Castleford Choral Society &
Gawthorpe Brass '85 Junior Section




Putting Diva Members firmly on the Map!

With the decision of WMDC to discontinue the
Wakefield Voluntary Arts Directory
which they produced in conjunction with DIVA for many years our Online DIVA Arts Directory has become an evermore valuable tool.

Is your group featured or would you like it to be? As well as listing the groups who undertake the many art forms across the distric the online directory includes useful venue information.

Even if your group is featured please check out the entry and make sure it includes up to date information
Click the bar below to explore the DIVA Arts Directory.

The Cathedral Precinct came alive as members of several of DIVA's Choral Groups join together in song!

 

 

Special Offer
Reduced rate listings in Scene and Heard


Scene and Heard magazine circulates 20,000 copies to supermarkets, arts organisations, libraries etc and is also available online.
The next edition will cover November to January. For £10 for 25 words (usual cost - £25) DIVA members can be included in a DIVA What's On in the November edition.
More details of this special Diva Member Offer in the next DIVA mailout which should be arriving with members mid September!

 

Get your group in the DIVA Calendar
We are producing a full colour, glossy 2010 DIVA Calendar - if you want your group featured send us a good quality image by Friday 16 October. We're looking for images of artworks, performances, events - anything you feel sums up your group and will help us spread the word that being creative is good for you! More details in the September DIVA mailout.

 

SHOWCASE YOUR GROUP
There are several performance and/or exhibition opportunities coming up.
If your group is interested in taking part in any of the following please complete the enclosed form, send it back to us and we'll be in touch:

Art Walk - DIVA, along with other local art venues, opens its doors from 5-9 pm the last Wednesday every other month (see leaflet enclosed). There are Art Walks coming up on 30 September and 25 November and we are looking for any member groups who would like the opportunity to perform or exhibit at our premises.

Lupset Healthy Living Centre - want a choral group to perform for the British Legion at an event on 21 October, 12 - 2pm. Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract - looking for soloists or small groups to perform at Christmas services (at local churches, Junction 32 and at the Hospice) in November and December.

WMDC Christmas Lights Switch On - We arelooking for groups to perform and represent DIVA at the switch on of the Christmas Lights in Wakefield (19 Nov), Pontefract (23 Nov) and Castleford (24 Nov).

DIVA Showcase

we will be holding a showcase event in January 2010. The event will offer opportunities for groups to perform / exhibit and will be part of our campaign to deliver the message that being creative is good for you. It will also raise awareness of the many opportunities to take part in the arts that are provided by local arts groups like yours. Exact date and venue to be confirmed. Sign up now if you want to take part! More details in the September DIVA mailout.

FREE WORKSHOPS
We have funding to provide creative opportunities for people with long term health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis. If your group has at least 6 members with a long term health condition you could be eligible for free workshops as part of our IMPACT project. Workshops can be in any art form - drawing, painting, singing, crafts, photography - you tell us what you want to do and we'll provide the tutor and the materials. There are only a limited number of free workshops available so if you'd like to take part in the IMPACT project contact Marissa or fill in the form included in the September Mailout!

Craft & Visual Art Groups
An Appeal
If there are any craft groups, card makers, art groups etc out there who have art and craft works they could donate to the Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract then we'd love to hear from you. We are hoping to set up a DIVA section in the Hospice shop to support their fundraising efforts.

An Offer
we have been given a pile of sample books by one of our neighbours, an interior design company. If you think you can make good use of them, call into our office and have a look. Free to a good home!

 

FREE*Resources and Services available for loan and support to DIVA Member Groups

Laptops
Use of laminator
Use of PC, Printer & Scanner
Digital Projector
Display Boards
Digital Cameras
Flip Chart

Information & advice on a range of issues including:-

Funding
Child Protection
Adult Protection
Constitutions
Group Organisation
Disability Awareness

Working with Professional Artists
Learning & Skills Development
Links

Contact Marissa at diva@pop3.poptel.org.uk or telephone 01924 383773
for further information

*Small deposit required - refunded on safe return of equipment


Have you heard?
About Diva's New Zest Grant with Awards of up to £500
Next Deadline:
15 September 2009
Talk to Maria about your project just call 01924 383773
or email maria-diva@pop3.poptel.org.uk

 

DRUMS DRUMS DRUMS DRUMS

DIVA have African Djembe Drums to hire

Either singly or the full set of 10*
attractive rates by the day or week
50% Reduction for DIVA Members
please contact
Lynda on 01924 383773 or email lynda-diva@pop3.poptel.org.uk
*Small deposit required - refunded on safe return of drums

 

Above pictures from our popular Picnic and Painting Member Events in recent years


Above: Pictures from the 2007 Salsa Dance Event held in Ossett Town Hall

 

Spring Into Something New
In 2004 Diva organised an exciting evening of workshops to inspire and energise specially for DIVA members!

Members were invited to add a new hue to their palette, a further string to their bow or just to go along for a great evening out! Diva members their friends & family were all invited free to the evening with fun informal workshops & performances.

African Drumming with Gambian Master drummer Lamin Jassey
South Asian Dance with Kala Sangam's Rashmi Sudhir
Arts & Crafts with sculptor Amanda Howes
Digital Imaging with IT specialist Tony Senior

St Swithuns Centre, Arncliffe Road, Eastmoor

Jamin Lassey


Rashmi Sudhir


Mother outside
a scupture by
Amanda Howes

 

DON'T FORGET
All Diva members get discount from our workshop fees and pay specially reduced room and equipment hire rates!

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 Longer term members will also remember our Winter Warmer in 2005 when members were invited to the Theatre Royal Restaurant to enjoy mulled wine, an excellent buffet and view original art work by artists in The Wakefield Drawing Group.