Communication, creativity, and collaboration are essential for addressing the growing challenges we face

Arts Lab combines visual art with peacebuilding to connect people for collective action on issues around conflict, inequality, and the climate crisis

 

We offer workshops in our studio, or with you wherever you are, and host open studio events and residentials at the Rural Peace Hub, alongside an online gallery and blog – all promoting visual art as a force for good.

Our work centres on interdisciplinary thinking, and creative, practical, and holistic approaches to transforming conflict, strengthening communities, and caring for our planet. 

We connect socially engaged artists with activists and pioneering individuals from diverse professions and organisations working in the arts, education, climate action, community health and development, criminal justice, and peace and conflict. 

 

As with the artist, so with the peacebuilder – head, heart, hands, and eyes working as one

Its novelty and uniqueness was attention-grabbing; I’d never done anything like this before.

Assistant Professor
- Department of Peace & Development Studies, University of Bradford, UK

The collaborative part of the activity encouraged teamwork, respecting others’ ideas and helping to overcome disagreement.

Peace & Conflict Studies student
- PIASS, Huye, Rwanda

Doing art every day, has given me a voice, helped me to develop a more refined creative skill set, and boosted my confidence as a professional artist ready to take on the world!

Matt O’Halloran
- Illustrator & Arts Lab Experimenter

Ideal for young people with emotional and medical/ mental health difficulties. Students feel safe, overcome the reluctance to get involved and have fun.

Assistant Principal
- Schools Company South & West

A truly moving and tender day sharing personal stories, painted memories and listening to one another's hearts with Syrian refugee families and the local community. The passion for community, acceptance and love was contagious.

Saif Ali
- Founder Integr8 UK

The environment you create feels like another world which helps the students remember educational experiences in a positive light. Learning can be fun!

Tim Wightman
- KEVICC Head of Art & University of Plymouth Teacher Trainer

The Arts Lab project is the one thing that isn’t ticking boxes in exercise books, that allows the prisoners to express themselves freely, and helps them to offload anxieties.

Mike Walker
- Head of Safer Custody, HMP Dartmoor

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