Arts Lab was established by abstract painter and educator Sara Downham-Lotto in 2016. The year coincided with the launch of a new era for Dartington Hall in Devon, UK, a Trust which situated the arts alongside social justice to broaden the reach of audiences and affect social change. The Lab’s early development was supported by the Trust’s new CEO, Rhodri Samuel, and provided with a base in the heart of the estate. Sara adapted the 109-square metre studio for versatile use to run a programme of workshops, outreach projects, exhibitions, participatory events, artist residencies and training. The mutually beneficial partnership ran for 5 years, during which time Arts Lab established a successful artist-run model for social enterprise.
In January 2018, Arts Lab became a fully registered Community Interest Company – a social enterprise that uses its profits and assets for the public good. The Dartington School for Social Entrepreneurs and funding from Lloyds Bank were instrumental in getting the organisation to this point.
Between 2018 and 2021, the Lab worked with over 35 organisations and 130 artists (60 of whom, at the time, were 16-24 years old).
Following the impact of Covid, Arts Lab moved to an online platform and resource, allowing a flexibility in delivering and developing projects, whilst forming an active archive of the valuable contributions of artist associates, communities and partners they worked with over the years.
