About Norca

Over the last seven years Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts Ltd. has established itself as a major community arts provider. It was set up in August 2001 and received charitable status in December 2001. The organisation’s remit covers the whole of Norfolk.

Over the last seven years Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts Ltd. has established itself as a major community arts provider in Norwich and Norfolk. Our focus on community development has given us a unique perspective in the field. NORCA has developed innovative projects and initiatives and brought over half a million pounds of funding into the county.

In July 2006 we left our home of the last four years, Waterloo Park Pavilion. Although a difficult decision to make, it was clear that the Pavilion was not meeting the aspirations that we had set for it. The Trustees and Community Arts Manager decided that NORCA should concentrate on project and programme development, where we have had considerable success in gaining funding and delivering exciting, groundbreaking arts provision.

Mission Statement

We believe that everyone is creative, and that creative and cultural activities are a fundamental part of our lives. Through involvement in the arts, NORCA will offer people the opportunity and tools to be active, confident participators and creators, and help communities discover, develop and use their ability to express themselves through creativity. We seek to engage people actively in the creation of culture.

Core Activities & Principles

Core Activities are:

  • the provision of Resources to community arts groups and the wider community,    
  • improving Access to the arts,
    •    
  • increasing Participation in the arts, and
    •    
  • providing opportunities for Training and the development of Skills, at a variety of levels.

Core Principles are:

  • Excellence, in all aspects of our provision.
  • Creativity, both in our work and in the way we run our organisation.
  • Partnership, with those who support our aims.
  • Opportunity & Inclusion, arts for everyone.
  • Development, recognising the role of the arts in individual and community development and regeneration.
  • Innovation, seeking new and exciting initiatives.

Priorities

Over the last five years NORCA has developed a number of priority areas, from research, consultation and experience. These are:

Table 1: Areas of Work

Based on consultation, research and interests we have also developed areas of work in which we tend to concentrate. This is not to the exclusion of others areas but does mean we are able to develop specialist experience and provision. Some of this work is based on partnership with other ‘specialist’ organisations, for example Future FM for radio work, and some projects may require us to provide a much wider range of activities, e.g. the Reedham Music Project, in which case we are flexible to the needs and wishes of participants.

Table 2: Key areas of work developed or under development

NORCA Personnel

Community Arts Manager - Marcus Patteson

Associated Freelance Tutors

NORCA employs a range of tutors to meet workshop and project requirements. Some of these are listed below.  We are happy to recommend these tutors and pass on contact information for them.

  • Pete Murdoch:  Music & music technology, including Junk Funk, songwriting and band skills.
  • Guy Myhill:  Film making.
  • Anna Patteson:  Film making and photography.
  • Mikey Matala:  DJ skills.
  • Blake Harrison:  Hand drumming.
  • Damien Bennet:  DJ skills.
  • Purple Cow Productions:  Samba & specialists in working with people with disabilities.
  • Charlotte Arculus:  Early years music, Street theatre & Performance.
  • Steve Copley:  Guitar tuition, Composition, Sound engineering & production, and Arrangement.

Trustees

NORCA is managed by a board of Trustees who meet at least four times a year and report to NORCA members at the AGM. Membership of NORCA is open to any person or organisation that agrees with the objects, who applies to the Trustees and whose application is accepted by them.

 The current Trustees of NORCA are:

  • Pat Howe
  • Laura Biggart (Chair)
  • Cathie Davies
  • Ben Binns

The skills of the Trustees gives NORCA a strong foundation in organisational and business development, community education and training, community arts and local government.  We are continually seeking to add to the breadth of skills and experience, so if you would interested in becoming a Trustee please get in touch with us.

We would like to thank past Trustees for their energy and input in getting NORCA to where it is today - George Eve, Jane Walsh, Simon Hartshorne, Andy Wells, and Rev. Nicholas Vesey.