Changemakers

The Art House strives to make creativity accessible to everyone.

We are a small charity that aims to make a big difference. Our mission is to break down barriers and give space to those who have traditionally gone unheard in the arts. We support real change for people with marginalised or underrepresented backgrounds and help build local community cohesion. We do this through exhibitions, projects, and engagement programmes that place creative people and individual stories at the heart of everything.

We are more than just an art gallery. We’re a Gallery and Studio of Sanctuary, we run an Adopt-a-School initiative, we offer Arts & Health programmes and an off-site project Well-Placed, directly supporting the development and sustainability of social enterprises, charities and individual artists across the UK.

We are free to visit, and offer a warm and welcoming space to everyone. Around 24,000 come through our doors annually with 5,000 people engaging in our social impact programmes. Our commitment as a Studio of Sanctuary sees us connect 500 local residents and 2000 people seeking asylum through creative projects.

Our Arts and Health sessions support around 200 local people facing mental health challenges across the year. In 2023 our Artist Residencies and Exhibitions programme worked with over 50 artists, with 94% of them being either disabled, traditionally marginalised or facing barriers, as well as supporting local talent. Our work matters!

We act as a catalyst and a platform to help change attitudes and the conversations about subjects that make us unique, including disability, race, gender and cultural background or experiences.

Our work depends on the generosity of supporters and committed individuals. We couldn’t do it without you, our Changemakers.

Your support will help:

• Artists who face barriers to their creative practice
• Refugees and people in the asylum process
• People with mental health challenges
• Disable artists to access creative spaces
• School children and children in disadvantaged circumstances

Any financial donation, large or small, makes a big difference. It’s particularly helpful for us as a charity to receive regular contributions. Changemakers allows you to set an amount that is right for you, from £5–£50 a month. All donations matter!

We really value your support. Together we can make positive change. We promise to keep you updated about the impact of your donation and invite you to see some of the great work that happens. We will:

– Keep you informed about our work with behind-the-scenes stories from our engagement projects and exciting first looks at new work artists have been supported to create. We’ll also send you special invites to openings and private views.

– Get to know each other by inviting you to an annual gathering, with a chance to meet other Changemakers from our community, artists, and The Art House family.

– Share an Annual Impact Report with you – letting you know what impact and differences you are making as Changemakers.

– Promise not to take your support for granted. We’ll keep doing the work we’ve been doing since 1994, to help break barriers for artists and communities who need some support.

All Changemakers will also receive a limited edition badge to signify your support and involvement with The Art House.