ArtWorks is a not for profit creative arts organisation, inspiring and helping adults who have learning disabilities to achieve their potential and develop important life skills through creative workshops and placements.

We support our artists to create and exhibit their artwork, participate in work placements within the creative industries and most importantly have fun!

At ArtWorks we focus on collaborative practice and teamwork, whilst assisting our artists to play an active role within their community. ArtWorks aims to challenge peopleʼs perceptions of learning disabilities through celebrating creativity and the ambition of our artists.

Art & Workshops
Our artists are given the opportunity to participate in workshops run by professional creatives that specialise in different mediums ranging from painting and sculpture, to film, photography, animation and performance. The workshops help our artists learn new techniques and create work for exhibitions and projects.

Film & Animation
Our film making workshops cover a range of technical disciplines and areas of film making practice. These range from documentary, short film and stop motion animation, to photography and commercial videography. We aim to provide a comprehensive film making experience, so our artists can focus on what best appeals to them.

Street Art and Commissions
We regularly work on bespoke commissions creating large scale street art through to artwork for private collections. Our art is often commissioned for use on prime-time television and film as backgrounds and in sets.

Volunteer Placements
Our volunteer placements are unique and specially selected to meet the needs of our artists. These placements are fully supported by the ArtWorks team and help our artists to build workplace skills and prepare them for work, in safe and supportive environment, whilst playing an active role in their community.

Where we volunteer: Wentworth Woodhouse, Sheffield Doc Fest, Theatre Deli, Site Gallery, Bloc Projects, The Local Theatre, The Special Olympics, The State Of The Arts, The Retired Greyhound Trust, The Wildlife Trust, Grimm & Co, Giant Leap Productions, Curo Gallery, Stone Face Creative, Warp Films.

Life Skills
One of our core values is to ensure our artists have all the tools they require to get the best out of life, not just in the world of Art. We take pride in our extensive life skills programme which includes regular cooking, baking, shopping and budgeting sessions.

Active Life and Fitness
Closely linked to our life skills programme, we promote fitness, encourage teamwork and nurture mindfulness, through gym and swim sessions, yoga, meditation, dance, weekly walking groups, and friendly games.

These sessions add further opportunities for our artists to develop skills such as coordination, communication, road safety and map reading.

Being able to be fit and active is important and we ensure everyone that attends ArtWorks has access to fitness and well-being sessions, including free weekly swimming lessons and gym sessions.

Respite Break
We offer an annual respite holiday for our artists to support their independence and allow them chance to experience exciting and new activities with their friends from ArtWorks.

Without this break many of our artists would not get to experience a holiday. We think that the prospect of never going on holiday, having a break, seeing new places and experiencing new things isnʼt acceptable. Our artists and staff look forward all year to our holiday as we have so many fun activities planned.

Our Mission
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate fully in arts and culture. We hope to raise the aspirations of artists with learning disabilities and autism that want to work in the arts & cultural sector. We encourage ambition and talent to freely thrive through creative projects, collaboration and community activities. Our programmess and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps our artists reach their goals and fulfill their potential.