As a community-engagement organisation, OVADA exists because of, and for you
We want our community to be actively involved in shaping what we do next
A Shared Table: shaping OVADA’s future together
A message from Mita Vaghela, director of OVADA:
I hope you’re keeping well and warm. As a community-engagement organisation, OVADA exists because of, and for you. We want our community to be actively involved in shaping what we do next.
OVADA is grounded in care, kindness, and listening platforming voices too often unheard and responding to what people tell us they need, and deepening our work with local communities.
Our aim has always been to make the arts accessible, support artists to experiment and develop their practices, to connect with communities and create a welcoming space for all.
However, reduced funding and rising costs have created an ongoing gap between our income and overheads, meaning we’ve had to make some difficult decisions to keep OVADA running.
Since 2021, I’ve been lucky to work with brilliant freelancers, but, unfortunately, it’s not currently possible to sustain a team. With the support of our Board, we are now working towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which will help us access wider funding and build a more sustainable future.
How you can help:
If you’re able, we’d be hugely grateful for your support by:
Donating at any level via our website
Volunteering your time (eg. events, building maintenance, admin, gallery support, or coordination)
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Mita:
director@ovada.org.uk
Please feel free to share this message with anyone who may want to support OVADA to survive and thrive. I truly believe that together, we can navigate this moment and build something stronger.
Thank you for being part of our community — your care, solidarity, and belief mean everything to us.
With warmest gratitude
Mita
A post-Shared Table update
We’re grateful for your support throughout the year, but we wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for your ongoing feedback, involvement, and encouragement
We were blown away by how many of you joined us for A Shared Table: Future of Artists + Communities on Sunday 22 February.
Together, we explored important questions including:
When is OVADA at its strongest?
What makes OVADA feel distinct within Oxford’s current art scene?
Where are the gaps within Oxford’s wider art ecology?
The generosity, openness, and thoughtfulness of everyone involved gave us a great deal to reflect on, and we’re taking time to carefully consider the ideas and conversations that emerged.
To everyone who attended, donated, or contributed in any way, thank you doesn’t quite cover it - your support plays a vital role in shaping OVADA and the community around it
You make OVADA what it is
