Become an Artist

About our workshops:

Artbox is a creative studio and community for learning disabled and autistic artists. We support artists to explore ideas, develop their creative practice, build confidence and share their work with others.

Our studio is a friendly, welcoming space where artists work at their own pace.

Artists can attend independently or with support, depending on their needs.

We charge a fee for our service. Most artists pay for sessions using their personal budgets or with support from their social worker. Our team will discuss pricing with you when you apply. If you are unsure about funding, we are happy to talk through options with you.

Workshops take place at our studio near Caledonian Road in Islington, London.

Sessions run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays:

Morning session: 10am – 1pm
Afternoon session: 2pm – 5pm

Artists are welcome to stay in the studio for lunch between 1pm – 2pm.

About becoming an Artbox artist:

When you apply to Artbox, we will get to know your interests, needs and goals to help you create artwork that matters to you.

Our team can support you to paint, draw, print and sculpt.

You choose what you want to make and how you want to make it.

Volunteers are available to support you if you would like this.

Our team can also support you to:

Make new friends
Talk about and share your artwork
Take part in supported trips to museums, galleries and gardens

What does a Session look like?

Sessions are creative, supportive and flexible.

Artists work with a range of materials and processes, guided by their interests.

A typical session might include:

making artwork
exploring new materials
talking about ideas
documenting work
working quietly or socially
sharing inspiration with others

There is no single "right" way to take part. Some artists enjoy working independently, while others prefer conversation and collaboration.

Further opportunities at Artbox

Artbox supports many different ways of taking part in the arts. For some people this means focusing on their own creative practice. Others develop skills in leadership, collaboration and sharing knowledge with others.

Artbox focuses on creative expression, wellbeing and enjoyment through art. Artists take part in ways that feel right for them.

*Hisba co-facilitating a collage workshop*

As artists develop confidence and explore their interests, some choose to take part in additional opportunities. These may include:

Supporting workshops as co-facilitators
Volunteering within the studio and at events
Giving presentations about their work
Working as advisors
Creating instructional or promotional videos
Developing new creative and professional skills

Artists play an important role in shaping the studio community and the future development of Artbox.

We support artists to think about their goals, interests and creative development. We do this through ongoing conversations, observation, creative planning and reflective tools such as surveys and visual prompts, getting to know each artist over time. This helps us and the artist understand what is important to them creatively and personally, and how they would like to grow.

We also offer opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their artwork. If artwork is sold, artists receive a share of the profits. Taking part in exhibitions or sales is always a choice.

We run trips throughout the year. These may include visits to major museums and galleries, as well as local trips to explore and find inspiration.

How to join Artbox:

You can download our application form and email it to studio@artboxlondon.org.

If you have questions about costs or anything else, please contact Kathleen. You can also call the studio on 020 7607 1622.

Application Form

Starting at Artbox:

We know that starting somewhere new can feel exciting, but also unfamiliar or daunting. Every artist settles in at their own pace.

Some artists begin by exploring the studio, meeting staff and getting used to the environment before taking part fully. Others are ready to get started straight away.

We take time to get to know each artist and work with families, carers and support workers to help everyone feel welcome, comfortable and confident.

Additional support

We can provide 1:1 creative support within sessions for artists who would benefit from more individual support.

We may also be able to support with travel to and from the studio.

If you think you might need this support, please contact georgina@artboxlondon.org to discuss your needs and funding options.

Additional support starts from £22 per hour.

Support is planned with each artist before they start attending sessions.