About us

Our Impact

“VA doesn’t see labels or limits, it sees creativity and that is how it should be. It gives people hope about themselves”

Emlyn, participating artist

Venture Arts reached more people and delivered more work than ever before in 2022-23.

We delivered over 1850 in-house sessions, and many more through outreach
We worked with over 190 artists
120 young people engaged in our school projects
33 learning disabled artists were employed or sold work
£10,500 was generated from artwork sales
30 partnerships were developed with other organisations
19 partners collaborated on our Cultural Enrichment Programme, providing 20 placements for learning disabled artists
Audiences of 110,922 (physical) and 721,474 (digital) saw our work

Venture Arts has a profound impact on people’s wellbeing, independence, social lives, skills and future prospects. From research by consultants Social Value Business (Venture Arts Social Value Report, 2017):

100% of our artists reported feeling happier
69% less anxious
92% had improved communication, leading to less social isolation
62% had developed confidence and skills to be more independent
100% developed new supportive relationships or friendships.
Artists’ families showed improved mental health and had stronger support networks

Our people say

"I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Venture Arts”

- Artist, Venture Arts

“I'm getting well from my art, going home feeling good”

- Artist, Venture Arts

“It’s nice to have a safe place to go where you can relax, create and be yourself”

- Artist, Venture Arts

“I’ve never found a resource before or since that genuinely supports my child's needs and complexities, nor one that’s so dedicated and committed to its cause”

Parent, Venture Arts

“My daughter is looking at doing art at college, at a higher level than she would have considered without Venture Arts. She gets ideas and acts on them with confidence”

Parent, Venture Arts

"Venture Arts has made my complex-needs child feel like a real artist who has not only talent but now confidence to share their work"

Parent, Venture Arts

Case studies

Sally Hirst

An abstract print created by Ahmed Mohammed in shades of green, blue, red and yellow

Ahmed Mohhamed

A young female artist working on a ceramic pot

Supporting Young People

Artist Amy Ellison stood behind a desk at the Manchester Museum Shop pricing items. She is smiling at the camera.

Cultural Enrichment Programme

Other impacts

We’ve given hundreds of school pupils (with and without SEND) the chance to work with learning disabled artists, gaining respect, understanding and aspiration.

We’ve changed Manchester’s cultural landscape through our Cultural Enrichment Programme and other partnerships: of our partner organisations surveyed in 2021, 78% said they had made changes as a result of working with us.

We’re changing the face of the arts sector more widely, by showing the work of learning disabled artists across the UK and increasingly internationally.

If you would like to hear more about any of our impacts, please get in touch with Fundraising and Development Manager Aziza Mills