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Step Up

A professional development programme for visual artists in Suffolk including those with learning disabilities.

Step Up was a professional development programme for visual artists in Suffolk including those with learning disabilities.

16 selected artists worked together in pairs, as equals, to explore creativity. During the project our artists had an opportunity to produce new works of art inspired by each others’ practice, develop new support networks and benefit from artistic and professional development.

The project culminated in an exhibition at the Jerwood DanceHouse in July 2018, which showcased the artist’s work and ideas and was extended to a further exhibition at Asylum Studios in October 2018.

What inspired this project?

Artists taking part in our programmes for adults with learning disabilities have developed significant skills and confidence over the time, but have few or no quality opportunities to support the development of their artistic practice outside of the courses we provide. Step Up was devised to test a new approach to providing a county-wide programme to address this gap in provision.

Project contact

Charlie Meyer, Project Development Officer (she/her)

Fran Speight, Project Development Officer (she/her)

Suffolk Artlink
Units 13 & 14
Malt Store Annex
The Cut, 8 New Cut
Halesworth
IP19 8BY

Telephone: 0784 2531 111

Email: braveart@suffolkartlink.org.uk

Project partners, funders and supporters

Step Up was delivered in partnership with University of Suffolk and DanceEast. It was made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Arts Council England, Suffolk Community Foundation through Arts & Culture Fund and Leading Lives.