Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

The Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme is run by Wiltshire Council.

Art workshops led by professional artists will be available to community groups in Wiltshire for only £30.

Originally available via West Wiltshire District Council, Wiltshire Council now runs the Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme(PAWS), which allows organisations including youth groups, older people's clubs, disability groups, homelessness projects, environmental groups and school clubs to apply to take part in an arts project spread over two to four sessions.,

The workshops available in this scheme include: mosaic making, wild and wonderful weaving, the wonders of wool, Konnakol vocal percussion, glass painting, animation, puppet making, storytelling, jewellery making and dance. Groups must have at least 10 people who want to take part and have access to a suitable venue. There may be additional costs for materials and equipment.

Applications to the scheme, which is running until March 2010, can now be made with groups stating which workshop they would like to take part in, the nature of the group applying, who will benefit from the project, where the workshop will take place and preferred dates.

WC arts development officer Meril Morgan said: "We have seen hundreds of people of all ages across Wiltshire enjoying arts activities in their own community. The main aim of the scheme is to encourage everyone to try something new and the programme offers a wide range of workshops. The sessions are very popular so I would urge anyone interested in receiving the new menu of future projects to get in touch as soon as possible". To find out more about the scheme, contact Meril Morgan on 0300 4560100 or meril.morgan@wiltshire.gov.uk

PAWS provides a wide range of projects led by professional artists direct to the groups at the meeting places. The scheme has been running in West Wiltshire since 2003, and has given numerous community groups the opportunity to take part in a wide range of artist led creative activities including dance, sculpture, mosaics and puppet-making.