The studio is open to in-person sessions again!

After almost 15 months of disruption due to Covid-19, we are finally be able to offer in-person sessions!

When Covid-19 hit, we where forced to pause the weekly programmes, and many of the staff were put on furlough. Thanks to an emergency restructure and recovery funding, our small team of artists and support workers were able to switch to a digital model, allowing artists to work with participants remotely. Due to the vulnerability of our participants, a blended model of digital and in-person sessions will remain in place allowing greater flexibility to meet individuals’ needs.

Catherine Coulthard, Creative and Strategic Director said,

“I am so proud of the team and the participants for adapting to the new situation and still being able to produce amazing work. We have worked closely with Cumbria County Council, external agencies and participants and their families to ensure that their return to the venue is safe and that everyone is properly supported. We are delighted that we have been able to continue working with our participants, and even more delighted to have participants back in the studio!”

We are offering two in-person days of creative sessions for adults with learning disabilities and autism, Studio Arts which focuses on visual arts and Studio Theatre which focuses on drama and theatre production. We are also offering remote packages which are bespoke to our participants needs, which include video calls, house visits and art materials.

“It is great to be back at Prism Arts” – Fiona Bell, participant of Studio Theatre (pictured above)

“Our return to Studio Arts was utterly wonderful, it was so great to see our participant artists and get stuck into creating art with them once again. We got up to lots of fun creative skills, from embroidery to marbling to celebrate our return.” – Katie Lock, Visual Arts Lead Artist

Our return is a double celebration as we only moved to our new home at the Methodist Hall in January 2020, a few weeks before the pandemic hit. The Grade II listed building was built in 1922 and funded by the millionaire philanthropist, Joseph Rank (of Hovis bread fame!) It closed its doors in 2005 leaving its beautiful spaces and attractive decorative plasterwork interiors mostly beneath lock and key until we moved in!

Reminder: We are currently recruiting! We are looking for someone to lead our theatre programmes. Based in Carlisle, you will be leading the development and delivery of our theatre programmes for adults with learning disabilities and autism. For more information and to apply visit this page – http://bit.ly/PrismArtsTheatreLeadJob.

Marbling by Jonathan Harkins, participant of both Studio Arts and Studio Theatre

“WW1 German Soldier” by Harvey Tye, participant currently working with us from home