Art for all, art for good

Based in the UK, we currently work both nationally and internationally with:

  • Groups and organisations involved in peacebuilding initiatives.
  • Institutions and workplace environments experiencing issues of reduced cohesion, morale and productivity.
  • Schools and universities running programmes in Peace and Conflict studies.
  • Community builders.

Our model has evolved from over 35 years working with diverse communities. Reaching across social and cultural barriers, we have a track record in positively impacting the marginalised, and those affected by or recovering from conflict or societal challenge. For descriptions of these projects with accompanying photographs, click on the orange text links under each category below.

For maximum impact, our workshops and programmes encourage the involvement of representatives from every level of your organisation. In universities, students, custodians, academic and administrative staff work together; in prisons, prisoners, prison guards and governors; in NGO’s, top management, middle management and frontline staff come together. 

With a collaborative, values-based approach, the Arts Lab model complements and enriches service delivery of broad-ranging organisations with their own unique provision.

OFFENDER REHABILITATION & PRISONS

Statistics of suicide, self harm and reoffending amongst people in and out of UK prisons have soared in the last few years.

Sara and Arts Lab have made art with prisoners, prison staff and organisations preventing youth offending to positively transform their environments. Through a shared sense of purpose and hope, incidents of suicide, self-harm and offending/reoffending are reduced.

Peacebuilding

In the field of Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, ‘the arts can foster cooperative relationships and more constructive engagement with conflict even in contexts of intractable conflict’ (Bang, A.H.). As arts practitioners, we are expert in creating safe, non-judgemental environments in which to face difficult questions, explore vulnerability and challenge preconceptions. Thinking and doing out of the box, our imaginative approaches to problem solving, catalyse bridges of understanding and the co-creation of positive collective action.

Projects:

Friends Everywhere at the Venice Biennale

Art Games Celebrating 50 Years of Peace Studies

Visual Arts for Peace in Rwanda

Smiles for Genocide Survivors Drawing & Painting

UK Peacebuilder Students Learn from Play

Painting with Coffee in Toubab Dialao

 

Gallery Artwork:

Sum of Parts (Rwanda)

Peace Buildings (Rwanda)

EDUCATION & LEARNING

Our generation of increasingly isolated, uninspired and disempowered young people need creative learning to inspire a sense of purpose, agency and opportunity. At a time of squeezed resources in education and the arts, the Arts Lab model is valuable for schools and colleges. Tailored curriculum enrichment provision for schools and training and mentoring opportunities for students in, before or after higher education, stimulate and inspire students, putting the learner at the centre of the learning process. 

REFUGEES & LANGUAGE LEARNING

Supporting refugees, displaced individuals and learners of English as a second language to integrate into new communities and lead meaningful lives. Through art and conversation, we develop language skills, share stories, create friendships and make positive connections between our past and hopes for the future.

THE WORKPLACE

Boosting morale and productivity in the workforce. Through shared creative practice, cohesion, collaboration and innovative thinking and doing are encouraged. Every group ends the session with a finished piece of artwork – a powerful, visual reminder of the team working together.

FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES

Combatting family and community issues of fragmentation and isolation. Financial and social challenges and the all pervasive internet haven’t helped. Our workshops bring people together to interract and share the positive experience of creating together. Working with intergenerational groups, the marginalised and hard-to-reach, we get people talking and laughing to strengthen relationships and build bridges.

ARTIST DEVELOPMENT

Connecting artists with communities. Read what’s been said by some of the artists who have worked with Arts Lab over the years; click on the name, and you’ll be taken to the full story.

Matt O Connecting with communities through Arts Lab had a huge impact on my professional development

ViolaYou’ve given me the freedom to explore in a way that could lead anywhere

AliceReplacing academia with hands-on creativity has been transformative

Anna B – I’ve been able to test out ideas and avenues for future works

Anna DI realised that college isn’t for me

Chris You gave me the first paid job doing what I love

FranI discovered that curating should benefit wellbeing in the community

GeorginaThe space allowed for my practice to breath

Holly I learnt so much without having to go to art college

Jake – I got one-to-one BBC-style training

Jordan I curated my first exhibition before college

Klara – Grateful for the opportunity to explore, my confidence grew

MiaThis was a great testing the ground for new audiences

Nat As a full time nurse, my confidence to make art again is back

Ness – Who’d’ve thought I’d enrol as an art student at 50!

Stuart Arts Lab helped me realise that Art gives deeper meaning than business

TansyYou fuelled my dreams of becoming a film director

Zanna – I made the Lab’s first films when I was still at school

Mental Health

Helping the 1 in 4 people in the UK who suffer from a mental health problem. Regular creative making in a safe and familiar environment, reduces anxiety and isolation in people’s lives, strengthening community, family and friendship connections. Together, we create some beautiful artwork, we talk and we laugh and confidence flourishes.