The South London Gallery (SLG) is delighted to have received a major new grant from the Bukhman Foundation. The grant will secure the future of Art Block, the SLG’s innovative free creative space for local children and families, for a two-year period, providing the necessary funding for staff costs and artists fees, materials, activities and events.
Art Block is a purpose designed space on Sceaux Gardens estate, located directly behind the SLG. It is a place for local children and young people to make, play and be creative. At the core of the programme are free after-school and holiday sessions, which run 3 days per week for children aged 6-16 and living locally.
Art Block is a unique space, with a programme that brings together practices from youth work, play work and socially engaged art practice. The sessions feature a range of activities, from painting, textiles and drawing, through to photography, cooking and phone case customisation. Activities are led by the skilled Communities & Learning team who hold trusted relationships with the children, encouraging them to direct their own play, with children devising talent shows, games and immersing themselves in play both in Art Block and local green spaces. Staff are key to Art Block, many of whom are local young people and who bring fresh ideas and shared lived experiences with children who attend. The children also regularly collaborate with visiting artists, creating unforgettable experiences and growing their creative agency.
Art Block is an accessible and inclusive space, with a significant number of children attending who are neurodiverse. Since 2017 Art Block has established itself as a part of everyday life for over 350 local children and their families in the local neighbourhood.
The South London Gallery is a registered charity. It receives Arts Council funding but relies on support from a range of sources including donations from individuals, grants from trusts and foundations as well as its own revenue generating operations. This additional support is essential in enabling the SLG to deliver its vision to be an arts organisation that is locally and internationally recognised for championing the positive role of art and artists in society.
“We are immensely grateful to The Bukhman Foundation for their generous support to enable us to continue our work at Art Block. We very much look forward to this new chapter in the history of Art Block and to seeing its continued positive social impact and the creativity it will nurture.” – Margot Heller, South London Gallery
“Art Block is a wonderful initiative that will bring children and young people closer to art and creativity. We are very proud to be supporting this programme and to be providing more opportunities for young people to create and grow in this accessible and inspiring space.” – Anastasia Bukhman, Bukhman Foundation
The South London Gallery needs to fundraise each year to keep the gallery and its activities free and realise our ambition for contemporary art to be accessible to all. Find out how you can make a difference and be part of the SLG community.
Art Block is supported by Bukhman Foundation,
Southwark Council and United St Saviours.