Venture Arts, the unique, award-winning Manchester arts charity working with learning disabled and neurodivergent artists, has launched its Making Space appeal to raise the final £25,000 needed to build a fully accessible art studio in the city.
Based in Hulme, Venture Arts is bursting at the seams. With limited space, growing demand and a waiting list of talented artists eager to join, the charity urgently needs to expand. The new studio will double capacity, provide modern facilities, and feature a hydraulic platform lift to ensure every artist can access all areas.
For these artists, and their families, the impact of Venture Arts has been life changing. Printmaker, Helena would barely speak to anyone when she first joined Venture Arts but now has really come out of her shell.
Her work has been exhibited as part of HOME’s Manchester Open exhibition and she has had a paid commission from cosmetics company, Lush to design packaging for its Sugar Plum Fairy gift set. “I enjoy coming to Venture Arts. It’s a lovely place and I like doing my drawings, and the people,” said Helena. “I’ve made friends and it’s helped my confidence. I had my fairy box in Lush and my print in HOME. I love Venture Arts.”
Helena’s mum, Margaret, added: “Venture Arts means Helena is happy. It brings out the talents of people with neurodiversity and gives them confidence and shows them what they can achieve – they’re so wonderful in doing things like that. A beautiful new studio would make such a difference – more people could access Venture Arts and it would give them a space that’s truly theirs.”
The Making Space appeal has already been kickstarted by Venture Arts staff, volunteers, family members and supporters, who together raised an amazing £5,000 at this year’s Great Manchester Run. As people who see the organisation’s work in action every day, they know first-hand how urgently the redevelopment is needed and the life-changing difference it will make. For them, the project is about much more than bricks and mortar – it’s about opening the doors to possibility, ensuring that every learning disabled and neurodivergent artist has the chance to create, connect and thrive in a space that truly belongs to them.
Amanda Sutton, Director of Venture Arts, said: “Our team has already worked incredibly hard to secure over £750,000 to date, and with the total now within touching distance, raising this final £25,000 is essential to ensure the project can be delivered in full.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about building a space where creativity transforms lives, where inclusion is a given, and where learning disabled and neurodivergent artists are celebrated for their vital contribution to Manchester’s cultural life.”
Jane and Lucy Scanlon have also stepped forward with a generous donation of £5,000 to add to the campaign. Jane volunteered with Venture Arts for many years and regularly attends its shows and open evenings. Her time with the artists inspired her to train as a teacher for young people with special educational needs, giving her a deep understanding of the impact of the organisation’s work. In memory of their late parents, who were strong supporters of charitable causes, the sisters set up a fund to continue that legacy.
Marisa Draper, Head of Operations and leading on making this incredible project happen for Venture Arts, said: “Through our Making Space project, we are creating a modern, fully accessible studio across two floors. We are enormously grateful for the generous support received to date from Arts Council England, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation and others, but we now need the community’s help to get us over the line.”
Supporters can donate any amount at https://buff.ly/cTWDxC3 Each donation is more than just a gift – it’s an act of solidarity!
