ARCAVAEST. 1995
A grand piano in a London recording hall

Registered Charity No. 1080350 · Operating throughout England & Wales

Art in service of others

Freely given. With nothing held back.

A Gift of Music Support Our Work

Arcava in its purest form

A photograph from the late 1990s


A young woman sits at a grand piano on a hospital ward at Guy's and St Thomas', London. Beside her, a patient leans in to listen. The music fills the room. Nobody is being paid. Nobody is keeping score. The only thing that matters is what happens next — the notes, the moment, the patient who said afterwards:

The music pepped me up and took me out of myself. I felt relaxed afterwards.Patient, Hedley Atkins Ward, Guy's Hospital

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Olga Thomas — Royal Composer, concert pianist and one of Britain's most distinguished classical recording artists — Arcava has spent thirty-one years doing something quietly extraordinary: mobilising world-class artistic talent, parliamentary patronage, medical authority and pure personal generosity in service of those who need it most.

Dr. Olga Thomas, founder of Arcava, in performance
Dr. Olga Thomas — Founder & Chair

What We Do

At the intersection of art, health and community


I

Direct Artistic Services

Concerts and performances given freely to those who would not otherwise have access to them — including patients on hospital wards.

II

Cultural Fundraising

Distinctive events that bring distinguished artists, supporters and public figures together for charitable purposes.

III

Charitable Music

Original Royal commemorative releases, with one hundred percent of every penny passing through to our partner charities.

IV

Awareness & Advocacy

Raising the profile of the causes we serve — from cancer research to bereavement care to military welfare.

Dr. Olga Thomas presenting music to Her Majesty The Queen

Our Charitable Purposes

Healthcare and the arts


As confirmed by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Arcava operates under two registered charitable objects:

  • The relief of sickness and the protection of public health — providing equipment, facilities and services for hospitals and medical institutions not otherwise available from statutory sources, and promoting medical research.
  • The advancement of public education — in particular in the appreciation of music, film and the dramatic arts.

These twin purposes have remained constant across three decades — reflecting the conviction of Arcava's founder that human flourishing requires both the care of the body and the nourishment of the spirit.

31
Years of service
£0
Spent on admin
100%
Royal proceeds to charity
11
Causes supported

In Partnership

Arcava & the Vuga Foundation


Arcava is proud to partner with the Vuga Foundation — a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation — joining hands across the Atlantic in service of charitable causes.

Visit vugafoundation.org

Be part of something rare

When you give to Arcava, everything you give reaches the people it is meant for. Every pound. Every time.

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