Sparks
Sparks is an innovative commissioning programme available to network members to ignite, inspire, and provoke new, imaginative explorations with communities
A spark represents the small but powerful catalyst that ignites change, creativity, and transformation. It symbolises the initial impulse or moment of inspiration that can trigger something greater — whether it’s the birth of a new idea, a shift in direction, or a creative breakthrough. Much like how a spark starts a fire, it holds immense potential for growth and development, often marking the first step in a journey of discovery or change.
What is a Sparks Commission?
Sparks Commissions are designed to nurture these early moments — offering space, support, and resources for creative exploration to unfold. They bring people together, encourage fresh thinking, and help shape work that has the potential for long-term impact. Sparks support members of the What We Do Now (WWDN) network in transforming first thoughts into something tangible — opening up conversations, building connections, and planting the seeds for lasting contributions in places and communities.
The aim of the Sparks commissioning opportunities is to ignite fresh ideas, spark new dialogues, and try out creative ways of working that could grow into something more sustained. Sparks can also respond to real-time changes in a place — such as shifts within a community or outcomes from local consultations — by using creativity to reflect, imagine, and explore new possibilities together.
What Could It Look Like?
Successful Sparks commissions are defined by three essential qualities:
Future-focused: They result in an invitation for futher work, intended to spark ideas for longer-term creative placemaking efforts and support continued growth and transformation.
Place-based: Deeply rooted in a specific community or location, shaped by the people and context that define it.
Open-ended: Designed without predetermined outcomes, allowing for curiosity, discovery, and organic development.
- Collaborating with a creative practitioner to explore a particular theme through community engaged work and dialogue.
- Collaborating with a creative practitioner to provide a fresh perspective on your work, addressing key questions or considerations with staff, team members, or other partners.
- Collaborative research and development activities that facilitate discussions and open dialogue within communities, exploring broader issues or opportunities relevant to the local area.
- Integrating creative practices into third-sector or community-based initiatives such as food banks, sports clubs, or community halls to initiate and develop ideas for long-term projects.
- Engaging a creative practitioner to integrate creative processes into the development or implementation of methodologies, frameworks, or strategies aimed at achieving long-term goals.
- Inviting a creative practitioner to explore and develop new ways of working between agencies, communities and cultural workers.
Previous Sparks Commissions
Conversations for Nature, Community, and Stewardship
This creative consultation in Dumfries explored new, more inclusive ways for communities to discuss the proposed National Park, moving beyond binary debates and traditional formats. Through woodland walks, open questions, and gentle creative engagement, the project uncovered shared concerns, quieter voices, and a strong appetite for more meaningful, trust‑based dialogue…
Mountainhall Greenspace
This collaborative Sparks commission at Mountainhall Greenspace brought together artists, researchers, and the local community to imagine a more accessible, nature‑rich future for the semi‑wild site. Through creative workshops, conversations, and shared decision‑making, residents helped shape a long‑term vision rooted in care, ecology, and community ownership…
Lochside Creatives
Lochside’s summer project brought people together to build confidence, learn new creative skills, and form a new community arts collective. From hands‑on workshops to the emergence of Lochside Creatives, residents explored what creativity meant to them and began shaping a vibrant local arts scene…
Frequently Asked Questions
Sparks commissions are open to members of What We Do Now – Individual members and small groups can apply for fully or partially funded work, while larger organisational members are invited to sponsor a Sparks that the WWDN team can then support and manage as part of a wider cohort.
The WWDN network aims to support working in Dumfries and Galloway, therefore the majority of Sparks awarded are for proposals based with us. However, we do support proposals that are able to bring learning to our region and connect communities.
Unfortunately not. Sparks commissions are a benefit exclusively available to members of the What We Do Now network.
WWDN supports Sparks commissions with concept development, management, shared learning and development towards longer-term opportunities. We can also provide partial or full funding depending on the scope of the project, typically in the range of £1000 – £3000, to individual members and grassroots groups.
WWDN supports Sparks commissions with concept development, management, shared learning and development towards longer-term opportunities. We can also provide partial or full funding depending on the scope of the project, typically in the range of £1000 – £3000, to individual members and grassroots groups.
Yes. WWDN can help match creative practitioners with organisations, community groups, or agencies looking to collaborate through a Sparks commission.