Access to Art

Access to Art started as an integrated Further Education based (pre-foundation) art course funded by a grant awarded by the Arts Council South East. The course involved University of Brighton art students as art advocates for artists with learning disabilities, allowing the artists to develop their artistic skills, access equipment and integrate into the mainstream arts course at Sussex Downs College.

University students continue to work with artists with learning difficulties as part of their extension studies programme.

Artists with learning disabilities are particularly marginalised in terms of accessing education and developing their art practice. Our experience to date has demonstrated that this is not due to lack of talent but of opportunity.

A2a Rockets Initiative

A2a Rockets are based at the Phoenix Arts Association, a mainstream community artist studio with many other practicing artists. This partnership allowed the artists with learning difficulties to become more involved in the arts world and gives the Phoenix artists the opportunity to collaborate and learn from the a2a Rockets. The a2a Rockets were able to access university resources with support and advice and help from art students who, in turn, were provided with a progression route into the world of Art.

For more information have a look at the (http://www.rocketartists.co.uk/)