The Arts Society Solihull
Charity 1133670
www.theartssocietysolihull.org.uk
Overview
Summary
The Arts Society Solihull appears to be a member-oriented local cultural learning organisation whose role extends beyond public lectures. Its model combines arts education with organised cultural participation, volunteering and heritage support. The evidence suggests it creates recurring opportunities for people to engage with art and local heritage, while using volunteer activity and youth-focused projects to connect appreciation of the arts with practical stewardship and future participation.
Operational geography
Coverage: District
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- No current direct evidence identifies delivery, a physical site, or a continuing project within any of the supplied Birmingham wards or the City Centre place.
- The organisation previously arranged visits to Birmingham cultural venues, including Birmingham Hippodrome in February 2024 and February 2025, but this is insufficient to establish a current or sustained Birmingham operational area.
- The organisation has supported local schools and participated in a West Midlands-wide Koestler Arts initiative, but the available evidence does not identify the schools, institutions or Birmingham locations involved, nor confirm that this activity remains current.
- The evidence indicates that the organisation's core activity is based in Solihull: regular lectures are held at the Core Theatre in Touchwood, and its heritage-volunteering projects are associated with Knowle Parish Church and Packwood House. These locations are outside the supplied Birmingham geography.
- The district classification is a reasonable interpretation rather than a direct statement of coverage: its recurring delivery base and named heritage work are concentrated in the Solihull area, while visits extend beyond that area without demonstrating a permanent regional delivery footprint.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, trustees' report or programme specifying the locations of Young Arts grants, school projects and heritage-volunteering activity.
- Confirmation from the organisation of whether it currently delivers any recurring services, grants or volunteer projects in Birmingham, including the relevant venue or ward.
- Current agreements or project information from Koestler Arts or other named partners identifying any Birmingham-based activity involving The Arts Society Solihull.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
- Environment/conservation/heritage
Who they help
- Children/young People
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Human Resources
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A cultural learning community, not only a lecture provider
The organisation appears to use lectures as a regular entry point into a broader programme of shared cultural learning, including visits, study days and holidays. This may make it as much a social and participatory network as an educational provider.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish its likely role from a conventional arts venue or occasional education project: its value may lie in sustained participation and relationships built around culture.
Show evidence
“We provide an annual lecture programme on varied subjects in the field of fine and decorative arts.”
Source:Charity Commission“We arrange visits to appropriate venues and organise study days and holidays related to our charitable aims and objectives.”
Source:Charity Commission“Lectures, Visits & Tours and Special Interest Days are listed as programme areas.”
Source:Organisation
Heritage engagement appears to include practical contribution
The organisation appears to connect arts appreciation with voluntary heritage work, rather than treating heritage solely as a subject for education. Its Heritage Volunteers and Church Recorders suggest a potential role in documenting or supporting local heritage assets.
Why it matters
This indicates that the organisation may contribute capabilities and volunteer capacity to the local heritage ecosystem, creating possible links with churches, custodians and conservation groups.
Show evidence
“We support Arts Volunteering and have a Heritage Volunteering group.”
Source:Charity Commission“Heritage Volunteers and Church Recorders are listed within the volunteering section.”
Source:Organisation“The charity's objects include giving aid to or for the preservation of the United Kingdom's national artistic heritage.”
Source:Charity Commission
There are signs of an intergenerational strategy
Although the organisation's core offer may be adult-oriented, its Young Arts and Young Arts Projects sections suggest an effort to extend arts engagement to children and young people, potentially through grants, projects or partnerships.
Why it matters
This may be important for understanding how the organisation renews participation and shares cultural knowledge beyond its immediate membership base.
Show evidence
“Young Arts and Young Arts Projects are listed as website sections.”
Source:Organisation“Children/young People and The General Public/mankind are listed as beneficiaries.”
Source:Charity Commission“Makes Grants To Individuals and Makes Grants To Organisations are listed as ways the charity helps.”
Source:Charity Commission
- It is unclear whether activities are primarily for members or accessible to the wider Solihull community.
- The scale, beneficiaries and outcomes of Young Arts, grants and heritage volunteering are not specified.
- No evidence identifies delivery partners, funded organisations or the local heritage sites involved.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or activity reports showing participant numbers, grants, volunteer outputs and beneficiaries.
- Details of Young Arts projects, heritage-volunteering work and partnerships with local organisations or sites.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We provide an annual lecture programme on varied subjects in the field of fine and decorative arts. We arrange visits to appropriate venues and organise study days and holidays related to our charitable aims and objectives. We support Arts Volunteering and have a Heritage Volunteering group.
Charity objects
THE PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE AESTHETIC EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE CULTIVATION, APPRECIATION AND STUDY OF THE DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS AND THE GIVING OF AID TO OR FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S NATIONAL ARTISTIC HERITAGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC