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CANTAB AND GRANTATwo Cambridge societies, Granta and Cantab, have helped inspire young artists to delve into the molecular machinery of life. A news report about a sixth-form art exhibition organised by the societies attracted the attention of scientists from the Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe). PDBe maintains a free archive of 3D biological moleculear structures – important for drug development and health research. The scientists asked volunteers from The Arts Society for help with outreach and liaison. As a result, students from four local schools created artworks inspired by molecules in the archive.5 Student VyWien Lai with Dr Christos Savva, who determined the molecular structure she depictedWORCESTERWhen The Arts Society Worcester learned that their local Swan Theatre had appointed local poet Ben Parker as Poet in Residence for a year, it seemed a wonderful opportunity to involve young people. The society commissioned him to write a performance poem (taking Under Milk Wood as a model) for the Senior Youth Theatre Group. In spite of never having tackled anything similar, the group was wonderfully enthusiastic and gave several stunning public performances. They were also entered for the annual regional One Act Drama Festival, even making it to the next round of the competition in Birmingham. ST ALBANS (FORMERLY HERTSMERE)Pupils from Heathlands special school in St Albans have seen their film screened at a star-studded Leicester Square event, with help from the St Albans society. With its £500 donation, the school purchased a camera for a filmmaking project, where pupils learnt about all aspects of filmmaking. The film was then shortlisted for the Best Live Action (12 and under) category in the National Young Filmmakers Awards. Headteacher Deborah Jones-Stevens, said: “It was wonderful to see how deaf children could achieve positive outcomes on equal ground with others”.COLCHESTERAt Colchester Castle Museum, staff have found that dressing in role – an Iron Age king, a Roman soldier or a Norman lady – is a very successful means of engaging visitors. This year help was needed to repair and expand the costume collection. Volunteers with dressmaking skills from The Arts Society Colchester worked with and trained staff. An in-house grant provided funds for material. It ran concurrently with talks by conservators on clothing production and conservation. Everyone involved found it enjoyable and rewarding. Sam Gray from Colchester Museums organised the project: “I could not have asked for a more positive experience.”6 Costumes made by volunteers GLAVEN VALLEY The Arts Society Glaven Valley has sponsored a year-long photography project with a local Scout group in conjunction with the education officer of the National Trust at Sheringham Park. The project started in February 2016, when the children were shown how to take a good picture. This was followed by seasonal visits to the park and a trip to the International Garden Photographers exhibition. Nine photographs were chosen by the National Trust for its exhibition room, and each child was presented with a special book. They also gained their scouting photographers badge and have expressed a wish to do junior volunteering. 7 Some of the Scout group Examples of projects by societies:5 Cantab and Granta6 Colchester7 Glaven Valley76570SOCIETIES NEWSThe Arts Society ReviewAutumn 2017