Project aim
We are a group of artists with learning disabilities. We would like to establish our own arts workshop, charity shop and cafe so we can become self-supporting.
About the project
We are a group of artists with learning disabilities and volunteers based in Edinburgh. We are a long established community group and now a charity. We became a charity to allow ourselves increased scope to get involved in many varied projects and also to fundraise. We were initially set up to participate in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade but have since moved on further from that and have been involved with many other art projects as well as working with other groups. We have taken part in our local area gala day parades and made props for a theatre company
We are led by three staff and many volunteers (who are essential to the running of the group). We currently have the use of a council property to enable us to run our groups but we are in a tenuous situation regarding permanence within the building. We would like to rent our own workshop to enable us to continue with our work.
To enable the group to continue to grow, we would also set up our own cafe and charity shop to allow us to become more self-sufficient. These facilities will serve a dual purpose as a training resource for our clients to learn practical, life-enabling skills which could be used to move on to employment. We have access to a lot of help and support from our colleagues within the council.
We are initially looking for funding to assist with the rental of a property with a view to becoming self-funding through the proceeds from the cafe and charity shop with the possibility of then starting our own art gallery - we have big plans!