We're always looking to improve your experience. Please Email us your feedback.
Each year Inspire commissions an artist and author to create and deliver a programme of visual art and literacy activity with our libraries for children and families, inspired by and linked to the Summer Reading Challenge.
Stimulating creativity and imagination, we ask that the artist and author enhance our existing library programmes, influence new directions using their professional expertise and to leave a legacy of collaborative work.
Over the last 8 years, Inspire have delivered a visual art and literacy residency programme connecting with local schools in advance of the Summer Reading Challenge period. Both the commissioned artist and author create writings and artworks with the school children that results in the Summer Reading Challenge Exhibition which is displayed in an Inspire Library Gallery throughout the summer.
We hope that the children are inspired to take up the challenge, in turn encouraging more people to take part.
Arts & Culture
Amanda Rigby and Mark Grist are the 2024 Artist and Author in Residence for Inspire! Follow their residency and their exciting collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Amy Lee Young and Donna David were the 2023 Artist and Author in Residence for Inspire! Follow their residency and their exciting collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Pete Gray and Alice Harman were the 2022 artist and author in residence for Inspire! Follow their residency and exciting collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Alex Godwin and Caryl Hart were the 2021 artist and author in residence for Inspire. Follow their residency and exciting collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Erin Fleming and Frances Stickley were the 2020 artist and author in residence for Inspire. Follow their residency and exciting digital collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
These workshops and the resulting exhibition were inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge 2019 theme Space Chase and is part of Inspire’s Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Inspired by the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge theme Mischief Makers, Inspire commissioned local artist and author, Duncan and Emma Pass, to create a crazy comic strip exhibition! This project was part of Inspire's Art Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Inspired by the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge theme Animal Agents, 5 practitioners worked with school pupils to explore visual literacy, mask making and creative stories. The Visual Stories project was supported by Arts Council England Lottery Grants for the Arts and The Mighty Creatives.
Arts & Culture
In 2016, Nottinghamshire schools and artists were inspired by the fantastic stories of Roald Dahl. Together they created amazing artworks and an ‘interactive reading shed’ packed with colourful Dahl characters.
Arts & Culture
Inspire are delighted to be hosting a taster of the Beyond the Bassline exhibition currently on sho…
Arts & Culture
It’s the 2024 Inspire Charity Knitting Challenge!
Arts & Culture
Join us for a showing of the very best films from the 2023 Mansfield Town Film Festival
By becoming a library member you will be able to borrow books and items for FREE in libraries across the county, including mobiles. You can also access eResources, Ancestry and more!
Not a member yet? Join us - become a library member