Hart School is a 3 month Arts programme that is designed to be free, inclusive and accessible. This opportunity is open to adults of all ages and prioritises those who are typically excluded from similar opportunities due to financial barriers and lack of specialised support for disabled artists. Hart School is an intensive summer school where students and teachers work in a radically inclusive, non-hierarchical, collaborative learning environment that supports participants to develop confidence in their creative practice. We will provide highly specialised and supported learning with a ratio of one facilitator per two learners. With a superstar team of educators and industry professionals, students will be guided through demonstrations, talks, studio visits and weekly meetings with an Art Therapist. This is art school - with a difference! One that focuses on enabling and empowering some of the most creative but marginalised people in our society.

What we'll deliver:

• 6 free scholarships to 3 month programme of intensive Arts learning
• Public art piece including billboard & window display on Westminster Bridge Road
• Art book featuring works & learnings from Hart School
• Public exhibition of works made during the course
• Year long legacy programme for alumni including mentorship in chosen field
• Limited edition art works
• Development of creative community
• Documentary film about the project
• Flagship programme dedicated to improving local arts education and accessibility
• Develop ability of Hart Club to provide ongoing educational support to local community

Why it's a great idea:

Hart School will provide a unique opportunity to 6 local participants who would have difficulty accessing conventional Arts education. This will have a huge impact on confidence, artistic development, increased employability & personal wellness. The programme will enrich creative abilities whilst building valuable communication & organisational skills, as well as a supportive community of artists & specialists. The course will culminate with the creation of a collaborative public art piece, a public exhibition & limited-edition art book. The public art piece will brighten a busy intersection in Lambeth, as well as providing local residents with a free exhibition of the works created during the programme. With this funding Hart Club itself will develop its core capabilities, and develop our ability to provide accessible & inclusive Arts educational programmes to the local community moving forwards. It will also provide much needed employment to 6 faculty members.

Steps to get it done:

• May 2021: Recruitment of scholars
• June 2021: School begins
• July 2021: Chosen craft pathway
• July 2021: Public art piece conceptualisation
• July 2021: Studio visits
• End of August 2021: End of school
• End of August 2021: Completion of public art work
• September 2021: Exhibition at Hart Club & public billboards installed
• October 2021: Graduation
• November/December 2021: Publication of book
• March 2022: Documentary film release & screening
• September 2022: Year anniversary & completion of legacy project

Hart Club focuses a lot of its work in the immediate local area, including running The Great Grey dementia workshops for people in the local area & taking on 2 apprentices from Roots & Shoots, a local youth organisation. As a space, Hart Club hosts public exhibitions & events directed towards the local area, providing free entertainment & access to the arts. Our local community is in dire need of this support, especially now, when other freely accessible museums, galleries and council resources like libraries in the area have had to remain closed or radically narrow their operation during the pandemic. The opportunities for people to engage culturally & socially, express themselves and develop their talents in a supportive environment have shrunk even further. Hart School will provide the space for a small group of diverse, intergenerational students to develop their creative skills whilst enjoying a communal Arts space.