The Get Creative Festival is a celebration of the many different ways we can express ourselves creatively

The contribution voluntary arts makes to our communities is being celebrated in a series of events.

Taking place until 19 May, the Get Creative Festival is a celebration of the many different ways we can express ourselves creatively.

Local groups across the country are opening their doors to the public, be it through a taster session, workshop, special performance or simply welcoming people into a rehearsal - all in the hope of lighting a spark and perhaps encouraging them to join.

The festival started life in 2011 as Voluntary Arts Week and has since merged with the BBC's Get Creative Weekend to form a nine-day festival that gives people an opportunity to rekindle a former hobby or find a new creative passion.

There are over 1600 events on the Get Creative Map, including a chance to have fun with clay in Peterhead, family crafts and sewing workshop in Giffnock, a weaving open day in Edinburgh and a woollen woods celebration on Arran.

See if there's an event near you here.