Protect Pyramid's Future

Aim

Help artists like Alfie continue creating for years to come at Pyramid!

Alfie is one of nearly 60 artists with learning disabilities and autism that Pyramid supports each year to explore the arts and develop as creative practitioners. 

How Pyramid Changes Lives

Pyramid has been changing lives for over 35 years, growing from an art group that used to meet in the long since closed Meanwood Park Hospital in Leeds to a local organisation with national impact. 

Last year, we delivered over 1,500 hours of creative workshops through project groups, studio sessions and individual artist support, resulting in many exhibitions across the region, including Leeds Art Gallery. We are in the middle of a national research project led by the University of Leeds, which is addressing inequalities faced by our artists using inclusive arts practice. We are unique in the service we offer. Without us, many artists with learning disabilities and autism in Yorkshire wouldn't be able to create art while building the confidence and essential skills they need to work as creative practitioners. We are Pyramid. 

Artists like Alfie travel from North Yorkshire to access our inclusive sessions because we offer the bespoke creative support he needs. As an artist with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, having access to an accessible studio space to make his work is absolutely essential and has enabled him to create art which advocates for people with disabilities, raising awareness of issues such as access and accessibility. 

“I love coming to Pyramid as it is a place where people listen to my ideas and help me develop. I have learnt lots of new things at Pyramid and it was a dream come true to work on projects with a professional film maker. Pyramid has given me so many opportunities to make art and advocate for myself.”-Alfie Fox

"Alfie did not miss out on an arts education, the education system missed out on collectives such as Pyramid, and conventional art students have missed out on the rich and vibrant community of skill sharing."-Kerry Fox

Why we need your support

Right now, Pyramid is at a turning point, and without additional funding, we face difficult decisions about our future programme. Your donation will help protect Pyramid's future, ensuring artists like Alfie can continue to create, connect, and thrive for years to come.

We know how challenging these times are for all organisations, and with your help, we want to build a better Pyramid that can withstand the pressures of a changing funding environment. 

Your donation will help us remodel Pyramid for the future and build resilience, so we can continue delivering life-changing opportunities for learning-disabled and autistic artists, no matter what the political or economic landscape looks like.

Leaders in Inclusive Arts

Pyramid's ground-breaking inclusive arts practice reaches far beyond Leeds. We're part of an action research project with the University of Leeds, funded by the UKRI, and have partnered with inclusive arts studios across the UK including ActionSpace in London, who support the 2025 Turner Prize winner, Nnena Kalu. As part of this project, our artists are leading their own research questions around using art for systemic change and helping to share best practices around inclusive arts.

People with learning disabilities and autism face barriers to accessing arts and culture, which are made worse by a lack of encouragement, choice, opportunity, access and control. Many traditional art spaces are not accessible for learning-disabled artists, the majority of whom require additional support, pastoral and otherwise, to reach their full potential. 

Pyramid helps remove these barriers by putting each artist at the heart of everything we do. Our artist-centred programme provides tailored support, enabling every individual to discover the arts, develop their creative practice, and grow as artists.

Pyramid is making big art for big change in our city and in the world. Your donation will help us ensure Pyramid is here for many years to come.

How your donation helps

Your donation will help us protect Pyramid's future so that we can continue delivering our weekly groups, individual artist support, and Studio Pyramid. Your donation will also help us launch a new line of Pyramid products that showcases our artists' artwork.

Our Groups

Our groups have always been at the heart of what we do. We run twelve-week projects, led by professional artists, which range from ceramic making to composing music to creating comics and everything in between! Your donation will help us deliver this work while we reimagine new ways to offer this service.

Individual Artist Support

Our individual artist support pairs an artist with a learning disability and autism with a creative practitioner. This is great for people who are new to art but may need more support than a group setting or want to develop their creative practice further. Your donation will help us cover the costs of running these support sessions.

Studio Pyramid

Pyramid's flexible, inclusive studio time enables artists to work on their creative projects independently in our fully equipped, accessible studio with the support of a studio facilitator. Many of our artists already use this service, and we're ready to launch a paid option so we can continue to deliver this sustainably in the future. Your donation will help us cover the costs of running Studio Pyramid.

Pyramid Print

This year we launched Pyramid Print which showcases our artists' artwork and creates a new stream of income. It identifies opportunities for our artists to exhibit and sell their work, both as original work and as designs for printed products such as greetings cards and textiles. Your donation will help us develop new products and markets for Pyramid Print so we can share our artists' artwork with more people.

£25 could provide art materials and creative supplies for one group session to produce new artwork

£50 could help cover the cost of clay, glazing, and kiln firing, enabling our artists to create beautiful handmade ceramics

£150 could fund a full day of individual artist support between a Pyramid artist and an experienced creative practitioner

£250 could cover the cost of running our art studio for a full day of creative activities

With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing opportunities for artists with learning disabilities and autism, champion their creativity, and use the power of art to drive greater inclusion and social change.

Please help us protect Pyramid's future by supporting our Crowdfunder. Your donation, regardless of size, will help us exceed our £20,000 goal and support us in developing a financially secure organisation.

Please share this appeal with family, friends, and co-workers. Share your support for our fundraising campaign by using #ManyHands. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 1st September 2026 at 12:00pm