Brave Art Unlimited
Our weekly arts course for adults with learning disabilities.
Introduction
Brave Art Unlimited is a programme for learning disabled and neurodivergent people to access high quality creative opportunities. Through a series of artist-led sessions in three locations we provide inspiration and support for people to express themselves through visual arts, bringing the social and wellbeing benefits of being creative together.
Each session starts with a group activity, skill sharing or discussion, before people are invited to develop and work on a personal project. Participants are encouraged and supported to explore their interests and develop their own creative voice through a range of materials, techniques and creative prompts.
Courses are based in community spaces in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
Our sessions are managed and supported by our brilliant programme leads, Charlie Meyer and Fran Speight. Charlie and Fran have led the programme for 12 years and are experienced empowering learning disabled adults and creating a safe environment for participants to excel and flourish. Session are supported by professional artists Shelly O’Brien, Johann Don-Daniel and Eleanor Rodwell.
In 2025 we aim to elevate the quality and visibility of the work of learning disabled artists and the way they and their work is represented. Brave Artists, Suffolk Artlink staff, professional artists and designers will codesign an online gallery to show case learning disabled artists and their work.
‘I’m very proud of what I’ve done today, I’ve learned new skills, I’ve got better.’
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Art is...
What inspired this project?
Brave Art is inspired by the need to increase wellbeing for people with learning disabilities, to help them to develop creative and life skills and to increase their connections within their communities.
“I found it really, really exciting and it’s been so, so creative and fun.” Andreas, Brave Art Student
Related stories
Blog posts
Brave Art Practice Sharing
“People’s creative ability is amazing – it’s like magical alchemy.”
Find out more
News
Suffolk Artlink’s Brave Artists and Staff Gain Inspiration at Asylum Studios
“Awesome, new experience…Razzle, Dazzle and Vibrant.”
Find out moreProject 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
Project partners, funders and supporters
Brave Art Unlimited is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Essex Cultural Diversity Project and public donations.
