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Creative workshops & projects where every child can take part
The Art Cupboard brings engaging, artist-led creative experiences into schools, giving children and young people the opportunity to explore materials, develop ideas and express themselves through art.
Sessions are designed to be welcoming, accessible and hands-on, with no previous art experience needed. Whether it’s a one-off creative workshop or a longer project developed around a particular theme, I provide the planning, guidance and art materials needed to bring the experience to life.
I can work with primary and secondary-aged pupils, and activities can be adapted to suit the age, needs and experience of the group.
Creative workshops
Looking for something creative for an enrichment day, themed week or a particular group of pupils?
The Art Cupboard offers one-off artist-led workshops that give pupils the opportunity to experiment with materials, learn new techniques and create something they can be proud of.
Workshops can be developed around a theme, technique or idea and adapted to suit your pupils and setting.
All art materials are provided, so there is minimal preparation required from school staff.
Longer Creative Projects
For schools looking for something more in-depth, The Art Cupboard can also develop multi-session creative projects.
Working with the same group over several sessions gives pupils time to experiment, build their skills and confidence, explore a theme from different perspectives and work towards more ambitious individual or collaborative pieces.
Projects can be developed in conversation with your school, allowing the creative work to complement a theme or area your pupils are already exploring.
Creativity Without the Pressure of Being “Good at Art”
Art shouldn't feel like something reserved for people who are already “good at it”.
My workshops are guided and supportive, giving pupils a starting point while still leaving room for their own ideas, choices and personality to come through.
I aim to create an environment where pupils can experiment without worrying about getting things “right”. This can make creative sessions particularly valuable for groups with mixed levels of confidence and previous art experience.
For some young people, making something can also offer another way to communicate ideas that may be difficult to put into words.
Recent Project
Refugees, Kindness & Belonging
Shireland Collegiate Academy — International New Arrivals Centre
The Art Cupboard was invited to work with students aged 11–16 at Shireland Collegiate Academy's International New Arrivals Centre.
Many of the young people were newly arrived in the UK and at the early stages of learning English before moving into mainstream education.
Over six weekly two-hour sessions, we developed a creative project around the group's existing theme of Refugees, exploring ideas including kindness, peace and belonging.
The students came to the project with very different levels of art experience. Some enjoyed making art already, while others had little or no previous experience.
Through guided activities, students experimented with different materials, techniques, colour, pattern and imagery while finding ways to incorporate their own ideas and languages into their work.
The project culminated in collaborative artworks bringing individual pieces together into something shared, which were then displayed within the school.
All planning, creative resources and art materials were provided by The Art Cupboard.
What the School Said
Danielle Hayes | Head of INAC & EAL Co-ordinator
Shireland Collegiate Academy
What Can We Create Together?
Have a theme or idea in mind?
You may already know exactly what you'd like your pupils to explore — or you may simply know that you'd like to give them a meaningful creative experience.
Either is absolutely fine.
I can work with you to develop a workshop or longer project around your pupils, setting and ideas.
One-off artist-led workshops start from £150, including materials.
Longer projects and sessions requiring additional or specialist materials are quoted individually.
The Art Cupboard is available for primary and secondary schools in Smethwick and surrounding areas.
