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Be Part of Our Exciting Future as Chair/Trustee

We are seeking dynamic and inspirational Chair and Fundraising & Development Trustee to provide strategic leadership, governance and developmental vision.

You will work with Arts Networks’ board of trustees to help maximise the potential of our charitable aims and to lead the organisation in this next stage of its development.

Click below for role descriptions:
Chair
Fundraising & Development Trustee

Deadline for applications: Midday on Friday 14th February 2025
Start date for successful candidate: March 2025
Successful applicants will be notified of interview in the week beginning 17th February 2025, with interviews taking place in the last two weeks of February 2025.

For more information, or if you have any queries, please email info@artsnetwork.org.uk 

21/01/24

Big Give Christmas Challenge Fundraising Week

Between 3-10 December 2024 we were part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge where every £1 donated to us via the Big Give website was doubled! 

With your wonderful support we reached our target 🥳 and the campaign overall raised £43m for charities and projects working across the UK!

Huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared and donated – your support will help us provide supportive, connecting, creative opportunities for our members💗

Massive thank you also to Big Give and the match-funding Champions and Pledgers who made this opportunity possible.

10/12/24

A Chance to see our new home (and get very Festive!)

On Saturday 7th December you can join us at the Art Hub Studios Xmas Market, say Hello and pick up a locally made gift too.

We’re delighted to celebrate with Art Hub on their 25th Anniversary – alongside Lewisham Council they have been fantastically helpful in our move – and this will be a wonderful opportunity for you to see our new shared location.
 
The Market is in the main Art Hub building where we will have a stall but there will be opportunities to have a tour of our new space throughout the day at 12, 2 and 4 pm.
 
We will also be in the middle of our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge Double your Donation week (3-10 Dec), so any donations would be amazing!
 
You can expect:

🎁 Xmas Market
30+ stalls from local creatives
 

🍕 Food & Bar
Pizza truck, cake stall, drinks (both seasonal tipples and non-alcoholic options)

🎟️ Tombola
This famous art raffle returns (£2 a strip)

🫘 Coffee
Amazing coffee from the back of a Tuk Tuk

🎄 Crafts
Free DIY Xmas card printing

See you there!

26/11/24

We’re Moving Home!

We have some big news to share. We’re moving home!

With our building in Lee Green being redeveloped, Lewisham Council have helped us relocate to a fantastic space in nearby Deptford, currently known as Mornington Centre (Stanley Street, SE8 4BL). We are excited to be part of this new neighbourhood within the local Creative Enterprise Zone. 

The move has been supported by Art Hub Studios, with whom we will be sharing this beautiful heritage building, and we’ll also have our own single-level building with outdoor spaces to run our creative sessions. 🏡

A like-minded, non-profit Community Interest Company, Art Hub Studios have been based in South East London for 25 years and are dedicated to supporting artists at all stages of their career. 

We are getting the building ready and look forward to welcoming members back for regular sessions soon (but are meeting up for weekly trips and workshops in the local area meanwhile). All visitors will be welcome to join us for an opening celebration we will be sharing with Art Hub Studios in early December. More details coming soon… 😊🎉

To reflect on our time at Lee Green and as a send-off to the building we had a warm spirited gathering. We created a collective mural on the Gallery wall (pictured above) and shared stories and fond memories. 

Thank you to all our members, team, trustees and funders who have supported Arts Network over the years. We have moved several times since our beginning in 1996 (each time within the borough of Lewisham) and this is another significant step forwards in our story that we are excited to take with your support. 

🫶🙏🙌

22/10/24

Phil Baird Retrospective at Arts Network

We’re delighted to have Arts Network member Phil Baird’s wonderful retrospective exhibition take its second step with us here in the Arts Network Gallery (after exhibiting at Lewisham Art House).

Phil has lived and worked in Lewisham for over four decades, the exhibition is designed as a give-back to the Lewisham community which has been his home for so long. 🫶

He uses rare and unusual materials locally sourced and upcycled materials from the Deptford market and local charity shops.

The works are a form of visual poetry. Phil creates imaginary worlds from memory and invented content with contrasting a coherent expression when seen as a complete experience. The exhibition consists of various groups of work such as drawings, prints, paintings, tactile pieces, construction, assemblages, and combines representing aspects and contrasted with dialogue between the different media.

Accompanying the exhibition is an audio recording, where Phil talks about his artwork, his time living and working in Lewisham and his journey with Arts Network. You can listen to this here.

You can also listen to audio descriptions of some of the artworks displayed in the exhibition here.

There will be a gathering event where you can see the work and meet the artist on Wednesday 7th August 2024 between 4.30 – 6 pm. All are welcome!

23/07/24

Festival of Belonging at Arts Network

We are part of a nationwide hybrid festival connecting us with five similarly dynamic organisations: Bolton Octagon, Dark Horse, Bolton Solidarity (BSCA), Converge (Northumbria/York), and Chapel FM.

Each organisation has been given the theme of ‘belonging’ as a start point and here our members have expressed this through 31 individual canvases united by a golden thread that brings the pieces together in a beautiful way, unknown until the point they were united.

You can see each beautiful canvas, accompanied by words from members and photos from the project here in this booklet.

This exhibition is accompanied by a soundscape, composed of thoughtful conversations between members talking about their experiences of belonging and creativity.

You can enjoy listening to the 12 minute soundscape here.

05/06/24

 

We Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May)

We open our doors on Wednesday 15th May for a showcase of our Members’ creative practices.

Doors from 5.30 pm with a chance to see our latest exhibition in the Gallery, Bei Frammenti (Beautiful Fragments) by Debra Malley.

Between 6 – 7 pm enjoy our creative programme exploring this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) of ‘Movement’. The programme will be led by 3 of our Member artists sharing an innovative cross synthesized sound piece created from recordings made on a bike ride in the local area; a gentle and accessible movement exercise that can be joined standing or seated; a fun and fascinating exploration of nature and language inspired by Ogham Celtic staves.

You can reserve your place via Eventbrite here but entry will also be possible on the door. The event is free for Arts Network Members* with a suggested donation of between £3-5 for guests, if that is affordable for you. The donation can be made at the venue.

*Members are individuals who have joined Arts Network through our referral system.

01/05/24

 

We’re looking for a Finance & Operations Manager

We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented individual to join the team and support the smooth running of the charity.

The postholder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity’s finance systems. They will also provide operational support and undertake some HR duties.

 Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

Contract: Freelance
Rate: £20 per hour
Deadline: Monday 6th May 2024

You can find a full job description and application details here.

19/04/24

 

Creative Programme Co-ordinator Opportunity!

We are looking for a creative, highly motivated and conscientious individual to join the team as a Creative Programme Co-ordinator.

The role involves all aspects of creative programme delivery, and shared co-ordination of our membership programme.

The postholder reports to the Creative Programme Manager and supervises volunteers.

Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity,  promotes equality, and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Salary: £19,344 pro rata, (£28,210 FTE)
Deadline: Monday 19th February 2024

You can find a full job description and application details here.

07/02/24

 

We’re looking for a Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking a Chief Executive who can dedicate their expertise and passion to Arts Network and effectively and compassionately lead the charity into its next chapter.

We are currently preparing to move into a new phase of growth and development, strengthened by having been successfully awarded a grant from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund.

Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity,  promotes equality, and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Salary: £28,704 pro rata, (£41,860 FTE)
Deadline: Monday 12th February 2024

You can find a full job description and application details here.

24/01/24

 

Our Create & Connect project receives National Lottery Funding!

We’re delighted to share this wonderful news to start the year.

 

This funding from the Reaching Communities programme will greatly support our Studio Membership, helping us to continue workshops, trips, exhibitions and volunteering opportunities for our members. We will also develop our outreach work and connect with 5,000 people across South East London through our workshop courses and public events with partner organisations over the next three years. 

Exciting times ahead! 

02/01/24

 

Festival of Belonging

Thanks to funding received from the IGEN trust we have joined this exciting collaborative project working creatively alongside 5 other organisations from across the country.

The project will allow those involved to be part of a creative exchange programme and in turn experience a sense of belonging and connection to a wider community. 

An inspirational springboard for the project is Ibrahim Ishmail’s poem ‘Belonging’ with each organisation responding to the poem in their chosen art form. You can read the poem here.

 

21/12/24

 

We’re looking for a Creative Programme Manager

We are looking for a Creative Programme Manager to develop and manage our creative programmes, including overseeing our long-term membership programmes, short-term projects and public facing activity. Reporting to the Chief Executive, they will also support with the strategic development of the organisation. 

This is an exciting time to join our charity, as we are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund to deliver our Create & Connect work over the next three years, through which we will engage with 5,000 people across South East London. 

Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Salary: £23,712 pro rata, (£34,580 FTE)
Deadline: Tuesday 9th January 2024

You can find a full job description and application details here.

15/12/23

 

Customising Clothes Public Workshops

We’re excited for this 6 week run of sessions Customising Clothes.

Wednesdays at 5 – 7 pm from 15 November to 20 December 2023.
Participants ages 16+ bring a garment to rework.

Sign up on Eventbrite here

08/11/23

‘Who Am I?’ Photography Sessions

In October we welcomed visual artist Daniel Regan to our studio to run photography sessions exploring identity and the theme of Who Am I, followed by a photography & collage session 📷

The sessions were in partnership with Wex Photo Video, supported by National Academy for Social Prescribing with equipment provided by Canon UK.

11/10/23

Artificial Intelligence Art Workshop

This July we had a fascinating workshop exploring A.I. Art with live musical accompaniment, and live illustrated capture.

Technology is a tool to understand and thanks to Kings College London and The Young Foundation for sharing this opportunity with us.

There will be an exhibition of the pieces created by Members on show at Somerset House on Wednesday 20th September 2023, and we are excited to see them displayed. 

08/08/23

A Celebration of our Member Artists

What a wonderful evening we had celebrating the brilliant art of our Members in our Artist Showcase 2023 launch event!

A busy, buzzy, enthusiastic gathering in appreciation of the great work on show.

From the comments book:
An incredible exhibition. Outstanding pieces of art from very talented people. So glad I came!” 

The exhibition will be up until July, get in touch for viewings.

06/04/23

Join us for our Artist Showcase 2023

You are invited to our Artist Showcase Launch Event on Thursday 23rd March 2023, 5 – 7 pm⁠

We have a new exhibition opening later this month in the Arts Network Gallery and it might be our largest one yet! A huge range of fantastic pieces from over 30 of our Members this is one not to miss.⁠

We will be celebrating the show with an Opening Party. Enjoy the wonderful work, meet some of the artists and also hear about our exciting plans for the charity’s future. See you there! 

23/02/23

Be Part of Our Exciting Future as a Trustee/Treasurer

We are seeking dynamic and inspirational trustees and treasurer to help develop our organisation and move us to the next level.  

You will work with Arts Networks’ board of trustees to ensure that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and that the charity, Trustees and staff are focused on achieving this in a financially prudent way.   

If you would like to learn more about who we are, what we do and our future plans, plus meet Members and trustees, join us on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 5-7 pm for the launch of our new Group Show Exhibition (more details to follow). 

Click below for role descriptions:

Trustee
Treasurer (and Trustee)

For more information, or if you have any queries, please email info@artsnetwork.org.uk  

07/02/23

Creative Workshops in Southwark

We are launching a new series of free arts workshops on Tuesday afternoons beginning with THE ART OF STORYTELLING in which we will explore how to create and draw our own stories.

STARTING ON TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2023
Beginners are very welcome.

TASTER ART SESSION: TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER 2022
Drop by between 2.30 – 4.30 pm to find out more and get creative!

Where: Darwin Court, 1 Crail Row, London SE17 1AD
When: 2:30 – 4:30 pm on Tuesdays for 10 weeks
(10, 17, 24, 31 January. 7, 14, 21, 28 February. 7, 14 March)
For: Adults with mental health support needs who live or work in Lambeth or Southwark and Peabody residents
How to join: email stayconnected@artsnetwork.org.uk
or call/leave a message on 0208 852 2849 

Click here for a flyer to share and an application form to join us.

29/11/22

Tower Bridge Artworks raise near £4000 at Auction for Arts Network 

Three works created by award-winning urban landscape artist Melissa Scott-Miller sold on 23 November 2022 for £3965.60 at Bonham’s auction house, with funds donated to Arts Network. 

A wonderful act of generosity that is much appreciated. We thank the artist, team at Tower Bridge and City Bridge Trust.

The artist was commissioned as part of the A Bridge with a View artist residency that took place at London’s iconic Tower Bridge. We had brilliant workshops with Melissa earlier in the year both in Lee Green and also on Tower Bridge itself.

‘A Bridge with a View’ celebrated of the resilience and vibrancy of London, as well as its distinctive mix of architecture. The project took place throughout the summer 2022, and included public workshops and family activities. ⁠

25/11/22

We’re on Lewisham Billboards for World Mental Health Day

Fantastic to see our billboard design from the Lewisham Thriving Communities projects up in locations around the borough for World Mental Health Day 2022. ⁠

The patterns and designs within the letters come from artworks made in the sessions, the message from a conversation about what should be shared with the world.⁠

05/10/22

We’re looking for a Workshop Facilitator

Arts Network is an arts and crafts charity for people who have severe mental illness (SMI).

This is an exciting time to be part of this innovative organisation that has gone through a period of growth and is now one of the leading arts and wellbeing charities in South-East London. 

We are looking to recruit a new workshop facilitator who will be responsible for facilitating creative workshops for people with mental ill health. The post holder will provide a pleasant, calm and supportive environment in which people with SMI are able to explore their creative
potential whilst also gaining valuable life and transferable skills. They will be an  ambassador for the charity, supporting the charity goals and assisting, as required, in the daily operation of the charity. They will also be tasked with administration relating to workshops and our membership.

Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Salary: £9,828 per annum for 14 hours per week (£24,570 FTE)
Deadline: Monday 29th August 2022

You can find a full job description and application details here.

We’re looking for a Workshop Facilitator

Arts Network is an arts and crafts charity for people who have severe mental illness (SMI).

This is an exciting time to be part of this innovative organisation that has gone through a period of growth and is now one of the leading arts and wellbeing charities in South-East London. 

We are looking to recruit a new workshop facilitator who will be responsible for facilitating creative workshops for people with mental ill health. The post holder will provide a pleasant, calm and supportive environment in which people with SMI are able to explore their creative
potential whilst also gaining valuable life and transferable skills. They will be an  ambassador for the charity, supporting the charity goals and assisting, as required, in the daily operation of the charity. They will also be tasked with administration relating to workshops and our membership.

Arts Network recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Salary: £9,828 per annum for 14 hours per week (£24,570 FTE)
Deadline: Monday 29th August 2022

You can find a full job description and application details here.

Still time to submit your Wish You Were There postcards!

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our Wish You Were There Exhibition so far! 👀⁣

All of the work has been fantastic! Hopefully it won’t be long now before we can act on some of the dreams shown in the postcards. 📮⁣

If you haven’t shared your postcard with us, there’s still time! Send in your postcard to our address so we can see it! If you are a member and need a new blank postcard, get in touch with us at stayconnected@artsnetwork.

 

 

02/04/21

📣Funding from the City Bridge Trust! 📣⁣

We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from the City Bridge Trust!

This funding has meant that we are able to expand our service and deliver more workshops throughout the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth. 

Stay tuned for more information on how this exciting opportunity will develop. You can click here find out more about the funding.

 

 

12/03/21

📣Call for submissions! 📣⁣

Arts Network is looking for local community organisations to feature in its monthly Stay Connected publication! 📰

Are you a community organisation based in South East London? If yes this is a great opportunity to share information about what you do! 🗣⁣

The feature aims to inform, explore, connect and share experiences, stories and perspectives to enhance the wellbeing of our communities. ⁣

The magazine is posted every month to vulnerable communities and individuals across the boroughs of Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark


Get in touch with us at stayconnected@artsnetwork.org.uk to find out more 💌

25/02/21

Job Role: Workshop Facilitator
Arts Network is hiring! We are looking for a new workshop facilitator to help deliver workshops both in person and online.

Click here to access the job description and find out how to apply.

 

15/01/21

Arts Network Walks
Thank you to everyone who came to or socially distanced walk through Manor Park. It was great to be able to see everyone and catch up, and we got lucky with the weather as well!

Members will be contacted with details about our next walk which will take place in November. We’re looking forward to it!

If you aren’t a member and would like to become one, click here to visit our referral page and information on how to become one. Due to Covid-19 our service is primarily run online and there are currently delays to accepting new referrals. 

22/10/20

Online Workshops for Members

It’s been great to be able to virtually meet up with members in our online workshops! The response has been excellent so far, and it is lovely to see some familiar faces and be creative together.

Our last two workshops have looked at how to make collages with textures, and how to design our own fictional characters. In next week’s workshop Paula will be teaching a technique for making our own zine!

If you have trouble getting online, or don’t know how to access Zoom, there will be a 30 minute period before the meeting starts where Joseph will be able to help get you set up. 

As usual, we have sent our members emails with details on how to take part, so if you are interested, check your inbox and sign up! If you can’t see your email, get in touch with us and we can help out.

If you aren’t a member and would like to become one, click here to visit our referral page and information on how to become one. Due to Covid-19 our service is primarily run online and there are currently delays to accepting new referrals. 

 

07/10/20

Arts Network Walks

Over September we have been meeting up with members for a socially distanced picnic on Blackheath. This was a chance for us all to catch up and do some art together in person.

As we move into winter, and the days grow shorter and colder, we will be swapping out our picnics for socially distanced walks! The first of these walks takes place on Thursday 22nd of October, and we will be getting in contact with members to give them more details.

 

 

 

 

30/09/20

£720 raised for Arts Network
Aleksandra has raised a whopping £720 for Arts Network on her marathon bike ride from Land’s End to London! 🚴🏻‍♀️⁣

A huge thank you to everyone who donated to and supported Aleksandra throughout her journey. It was tough at times, with blood sweat and tears at various stages, and all the support pushed her across the finish line.

Well done and thank you Aleksandra, you are amazing!

06/08/20

York St John Evaluation 2020

The team from York St John University returned this January to conduct a thorough evaluation of Arts Network, our aims, impact and how our members engage with our service.

Click here, or on the image to access the report. 

Fundraiser: Cycling from Land’s End to London to raise money for Arts Network

Our friend the amazing Aleksandra will be cycling from Land’s End to London to fundraise for Arts Network! 🚴🏻‍♀️⁣

Ola was diagnosed with a severe ulcerative colitis-pancolitis 2 years ago and has battled with this life long condition ever since, so this is also a personal challenge for her and others who battle with this illness.

Click Here or on the image to view and donate to her campaign.  

Thank you and good luck Ola! We will be following your journey and cheering you on!😁🥇

 

Stay Connected Issue 4
Stay Connected

In response to the ongoing lockdown, we have started a number of initiatives to keep in contact with our members.

With the mission to ‘Stay Well, Stay Creative, Stay Connected’, Arts Network has been producing online arts and crafts tutorials designed to be able to do at home. With three original videos released each week covering a range of techniques, we hope our members and supporters find something that suits them. Click here to visit our Youtube account where you can watch the latest videos.

We have also been releasing our bi-weekly ‘Stay Connected’ Zine. This activity booklet is jam packed with fun activities to do at home. Our members receive a physical copy in the post and a monthly bumper pack which includes art materials. If you are not a member you can access our back catalogue through our site. Click here to check it out!

We have also been sharing our members’ amazing artwork over social media. If you are a member and would like to share some of your work, we would love to see it! Send it to us either via social media or at info@artsnetwork.org.uk. Click here to see what we have posted so far.

ARTS-NETWORK-SQUARE-LOGO-TRANSPARENT-BG
Information Regarding Covid-19

In light of the latest government guidance on COVID-19, Arts Network has postponed all workshops until further notice. During this time, we will be posting and sharing resources, activities and links designed to help our wellbeing and keep creative. 

This includes our ‘Arts Network Challenge’ videos, and our ‘Stay Connected’ activity packs. Make sure to follow our social media pages to stay up to date.

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Kew Gardens: Orchid Festival

In February we visited Kew Garden’s 25th Orchid Festival. Themed on the country of Indonesia, the dazzling displays were inspired by Indonesia’s wildlife and plant diversity.

Thank you to Kew for having us!

Collage by Arts Network Member
Royal Academy: Picasso & Paper

Recently we took part in a Picasso & Paper Workshop at the Royal Academy. Whilst there we were able to take part in a workshop where we created our own Picassoesque pieces with collage. 

Thanks to the Royal Academy for having us! 

View of The Millennium Dome by Aaron Pilgrim
A.W.J Pilgrim Exhibition

The work of artist, writer and Arts Network member A.W.J Pilgirm is currently on display in the the Arts Network galley. ⁣

Here’s a detail from his piece ‘Millenium Dome Docklands’. Don’t forget to attend the private view on the 7th of February from 18:00-19:30 to catch this beautiful exhibition. ⁣

If you can’t make the private view our galley is open to the public on Wednesdays from 17:00-19:00 and on Fridays from 10:00-16:00. ⁣