Venture Arts Making Space for Disabled Artists

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, accessible 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.” 

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 get of the finishing line.

“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."