Art Breaks is an innovative project that focuses on children and young people with complex needs, alongside their parents, carers and peers.
Across school holidays and weekends, we offer a series of high-quality creative workshops giving children the opportunity to work in collaboration with a team of skilled professional artists and to experience art as a tool for exploration, communication and self-expression. Our programmes support individuals towards greater communication, self-expression and community integration. We use personalised approaches to explore the potential of people with complex needs and those that support them.
Art Breaks workshops run during school holidays at our studio in Hastings and other venues in Sussex. We also run four sets of Saturday workshops each year.
Project Art Works raises the money to deliver art breaks from grant funding and donations. A small donation towards these costs would be appreciated but is not a requirement.
I thought the support I received from S was incredible, R and I were having a particularly difficult week as he had been very upset with the lack of school routine and she supported him for a walk around the grounds in his buggy while he played a keyboard. This gave me a break and I could relax knowing he was in very supportive and capable hands. I think that not only are these sessions a creative and expressive space for children, but they are also beneficial for parents who know that their children will be with people that fully understand them or at least have an interest in getting to know them and the experience and skills to do so. – Parent 2024
It was an utter joy & breath of fresh air to find a space that allowed our son with little speech to explore & try lots of different activities, get messy & have loads of fun without judgement or fear of mess. J often takes some time to adjust to new Spaces but he quickly regulated & was trusting with the adult supporting him & opened up/relaxed completely in the space. – Parent 2024
They explored & regulated well in the space. Very quickly felt safe & content, was allowed to roam & explore a variety of activities without trying to actively leave the space. J lead the choice of activity which involved lots of tactile paint play & using other objects to paint & mark make – Parent 2024
We totally support & will continue to support this brilliant initiative. If every parent with a neurodiverse child could access something like this weekly it would undoubtedly be a highlight. A joy & a real blessing to our family. – Parent 2024
For more information about this project please contact artbreaks@projectartworks.org.
