Artbox London: empowering artists with learning disabilities and autism through creativity and community

Artbox London is a registered charity and social enterprise that runs art workshops, trips to galleries, curates’ exhibitions, and creates sales opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Co-director/Founder Madeline Alterman set up Artbox London in 2011. She was inspired by her need for good support with her younger brother who has learning disabilities, and her own experience of studying art and psychology and working in the charity sector.

1.5 million people in the UK have learning disabilities and face many challenges and barriers to achieving full inclusion in society. Only 7% are in paid employment and often have few reasons to leave the house; it can be difficult for adults with learning disabilities to make friends and have contact with nondisabled peers.

Our mission is to increase the wellbeing and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autistic people while also sharing their art and unique talents with a wider audience.

Artists and workshops

In our accessible and welcoming studio space in Islington, our artists create striking original artworks supported by our team of art tutors, volunteers, and each other.

Our workshops allow artists to explore their creative interests and develop their artistic skills using a variety of techniques and materials. In these sessions the studio is abuzz with creativity and conversation as our artists paint, draw, print, sculpt and make friends.

Our artists are a group of 80 people with learning disabilities and autistic people who develop their creative practice every week. The artists travel to the studio from across London, span decades of different ages and come from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

We have found that acting with care, taking an individualised approach, and being led by the artists and people who know them best can help to remove barriers. This has allowed us to make creativity accessible and fun, as well as foster a safe and supportive community.

“Creating art makes me feel comfortable and calm – it’s one of my calming strategies from when I am feeling stressed. It also helps me make friends with people and keep in touch with my friends.”

- Christopher, Artbox London Artist

The workshops help to develop our artists’ creative and life skills and provide opportunities for them to make and meet friends, reducing isolation and loneliness.

“The Artbox studio is ultimately amazing, I make a lot of friends and we share some ideas. If they have the same disability as you or are a bit different, you can talk about it if you like... you need to have some positive things in your life.”

- Toyin, Artbox London Artist

Regular visits to galleries and museums also inspire the artists and help them develop new ideas, as well as encouraging them to become more confident and independent in using public transport and getting around Central London.

Exhibitions and visibility

To develop positive identities for and raise the aspirations of adults with learning disabilities and autism, Artbox London provides opportunities for artists to create, exhibit and sell their art.

We are currently showing artwork within our new pop-up gallery space on Whitecross

Street, which has been made possible through support from Islington Giving, Lombard Odier and The Arts Council.

A recent group exhibition ‘Familiar’ explored figuration, stylisation and realism in the work of five different artists. Each featured artist has a highly distinct visual language, working from found images and their own imaginations to create both new and familiar worlds. For example, each artwork by Seatton features layers of exquisite use of material to create texture, represent enigmatic figures and emphasise backgrounds. In October 2023, he received an exciting commission to make the album artwork for Irish pop musician CMAT’s second studio album.

Our exhibitions in art galleries, our studio and our online shop showcase the artists’ talent, bringing deserved recognition to our community and changing attitudes about what the artists can achieve.

The artists take a share of the profits made from selling their art, while the rest of the money is reinvested in our organisation, funding the work that we do.

Artbox London receives no statutory funding and is reliant on raising its own income which is supported by grants. Whether licensing artwork for a range of products, commissioning an artist to create a specific design, or selling our products, there are many different ways to partner with us. Anyone who interacts with Artbox becomes part of our community founded upon a shared love of art.

Find us at www.artboxlondon.org