The Cholavan
Our mobile community creative space
The Cholavan was born from a post-Covid pipe-dream – to take creativity out on the road and meet communities where they are. What began as a small idea became reality through our first ever crowdfunded project, powered by the generosity of our supporters and a grant from the One Community Foundation’s Match It Fund.
The pandemic reminded us how vital connection, joy and creativity are and how many people face barriers to accessing the arts every day, not just in lockdown. Time, distance, cost and accessibility continue to limit who can take part. We wanted to change that.
So, we transformed a Luton van into a mobile creative space – a flexible hub that brings art, play and imagination to community doorsteps. Since then, the Cholavan has travelled across Yorkshire, hosting creative workshops, pop-up performances, exhibitions and celebrations in neighbourhoods that often miss out on traditional arts opportunities.
From children crafting stories in local parks to intergenerational storytelling sessions on high streets, the Cholavan helps us connect with people who might never otherwise step into a theatre or gallery. It’s a space for everyone; relaxed, welcoming and full of possibility.
Making the Cholavan truly accessible
Thanks to a new Unlimited Micro Capital Grant, we’re taking the next step in the Cholavan’s journey and making it fully inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Over the coming months, we’ll be adding:
- A hearing loop to support audience members with hearing aids.
- Multi-language audio options so people can listen in their first language.
- Descriptive audio for visually impaired participants.
- A pull-down projector screen for real-time subtitles and multilingual captions.
- Improved signage in clear, easy-read formats and multiple languages.
- Eco-friendly, flexible signage and seating so we can adapt to different environments and needs.
- A new awning and portable seating, providing shelter and comfort so people can stay, play and connect for longer.
These upgrades will make the Cholavan not just a travelling workshop, but a space of genuine belonging, where everyone can take part, however they connect best.
Why it matters
Through the Cholavan, we:
- Build trust and relationships in communities so we can better understand what is important to the communities we wish to work with
- Encourage creative thinking and ambition in with communities and participants we work with.
- Co-create projects that reflect people’s real lives and priorities. We don’t parachute in with prescribed ideas or outcome targets.
- Create non-traditional performance and exhibition spaces in everyday places.
The Cholavan helps us listen, learn and create with communities, not for them — making sure that the work we do is relevant, inclusive and filled with care.
Keep an eye on our socials and our Get Involved page to see where the Cholavan is heading next.
Or if you have a project or event you’d like it to be part of, contact jess@wearechol.co.uk – we’d love to see how the van can roll up and bring creativity to your community.
