We are delighted to announce that The Art House has been awarded a three year grant from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation; marking the first time that we have been supported by this major funder.
This grant will enable us to further our work in developing The Art House as a hub for people seeking asylum and refugee support in Wakefield. This also offers us the opportunity to implement a strong and local ‘Sanctuary Network’ of Council departments, as well as third sector and arts organisations. Our aim is to develop a more strategic and integrated approach to ensure better support for people seeking asylum.
Sydney Thornbury, CEO at The Art House, commented, “We believe that arts organisations can play a much bigger role in communities than we currently do. This three year grant from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, alongside winning the 2022 Gulbenkian Civic Arts Award last year, is helping us prove that we can bring the same amount of creativity to solving social issues in our community, as we do to making art. We deeply thank The Paul Hamlyn Foundation for supporting us on this exciting journey.”
Linda Fielding, Studio of Sanctuary Coordinator at The Art House, commented, “Having secured funding from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are looking forward to bringing local agencies, organisations, and people together through Studio of Sanctuary. Our aim is to develop a synchronised approach to encouraging inclusion and integration within Wakefield communities. Studio of Sanctuary will also encourage supportive relationships that will enable agencies to look at becoming part of the City of Sanctuary movement.
To start things moving, Studio of Sanctuary is inviting agencies and organisations to come together for Refugee Week 2023. This year Refugee Week will celebrate its 25th year, and aptly the theme is ‘Compassion’, for which we invite organisations to get involved in our exciting plans!”
If you’re interested in having your group join our Sanctuary Network, and/or you’d like to be involved in our plans for Refugee Week 2023, please contact linda@the-arthouse.org.uk.
