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VISUAL ART FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Arts Lab is a social enterprise that uses visual art to support creative, practical, and holistic ways of building peace, resolving conflict, and strengthening communities. 

We offer workshops, and run open studios events and residentials at the Rural Peace Hub, alongside an online gallery and blog – all promoting visual art as a force for good.

We work with marginalised groups, communities affected by conflict, peacebuilders and NGOs, extending to schools, universities, arts organisations, businesses, and individuals looking for novel ways of building creative confidence.

 

As with the peacebuilder, so with the artist – head, heart, hands, and eyes work as one

Its novelty and uniqueness was attention-grabbing; I’d never done anything like this before.

Assistant Professor
- Department of Peace & Development Studies, University of Bradford, UK

The collaborative part of the activity encouraged teamwork, respecting others’ ideas and helping to overcome disagreement.

Peace & Conflict Studies student
- PIASS, Huye, Rwanda

Doing art every day, has given me a voice, helped me to develop a more refined creative skill set, and boosted my confidence as a professional artist ready to take on the world!

Matt O’Halloran
- Illustrator & Arts Lab Experimenter

Ideal for young people with emotional and medical/ mental health difficulties. Students feel safe, overcome the reluctance to get involved and have fun.

Assistant Principal
- Schools Company South & West

A truly moving and tender day sharing personal stories, painted memories and listening to one another's hearts with Syrian refugee families and the local community. The passion for community, acceptance and love was contagious.

Saif Ali
- Founder Integr8 UK

The environment you create feels like another world which helps the students remember educational experiences in a positive light. Learning can be fun!

Tim Wightman
- KEVICC Head of Art & University of Plymouth Teacher Trainer

The Arts Lab project is the one thing that isn’t ticking boxes in exercise books, that allows the prisoners to express themselves freely, and helps them to offload anxieties.

Mike Walker
- Head of Safer Custody, HMP Dartmoor

Work with Us

Workshops, Rural Peace Hub, studio visits and more

Projects

Explore all our projects and experiments

Gallery

View online art exhibitions by the Arts Lab community, and beyond

Art Matters

Browse inspiring stories and news from around the world

Latest Art Matters

News on our Instagram