Arc exhibition showcases impact of Stockport’s Art and Health Micro Commissions

A collective exhibition showing the impact of Stockport’s Art and Health Micro Commissions launches with a celebration event at Arc at Hat Works on Saturday September 28th and runs until Saturday November 16th 2024.

‘Making Art Happen’ showcases the huge impact of the participatory projects and also the photography and ceramics work developed. 

Arc funded 3 participatory Arts and Health projects and 2 micro-exhibitions in 2023. The commissions provided stepping-stone funding for artists, facilitators or groups to explore creative ideas and projects that supported better mental health for people in Stockport.  The Micro Commissions were awarded by Arc and part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of Stockport Town of Culture.

All the projects were all completed successfully by March 2024. Artforms involved were varied, including ceramics, photography, creative writing, music and movement and recycled art. There were long-term outcomes from the projects, to name just a few: a peer-to-peer creative writing Facebook group being set up, an image published by the British Journal of Photography and a planned submission for an Arts Council Developing Your Creative Practice grant.

Arc’s CEO Jacqui Wood said,

“It’s been inspiring to see how the projects have impacted not only their participants, but have also helped each of the creatives to develop and steer their own practice, boost their creative project management and facilitation skills, and increase their connections. This is the perfect showcase for one of the reasons Arc exists – to nurture and sustain the arts and health sector for the benefit of creatives, as well as participants.”

Funding Recipients and projects are:

• Anastassia Zamaraeva, ’Multiple Sclerosis Through Clay’, exploring the Anastassia’s dad’s experience of living with MS for 20+ years.
• Louisa Mayman, ’Today Years Old’, a collection of photographs of people aged 100+ in Stockport, celebrating life and confronting how we often disregard the ageing members of our society.
• Jan Stone, ‘Stockport Songs and Smiles’, a multi-generational music project working with 0-4 year olds and those in care homes via national charity Together Project.
• Jaime Starr, ‘Queer and Now: Creative Writing for LGBTQ+ Wellbeing’, creative writing workshops for those experiencing loneliness and isolation.
• Andrea Ainsworth, ‘What Happens When it Doesn’t Happen?’, exploring mental health and infertility.
• Mo Fox, ‘Repurposing for Art’s Sake’, recycled art-making with isolated migrant communities living in hotels in Stockport.

Two of the recipients said of the opportunity, “What I’ve learned is that this [collaboration] is a direction I would like to take my art practice.” and “Receiving the micro-commission has substantially improved my confidence as a facilitator.”

‘Making Art Happen’ launches on September 28th from 10:30-15:00 with a Saturday Art Club with creative activities in Arc’s dedicated Art Studio, trying Recycled Paper Weaving and Ceramic (air dry) Slugs and Snails inspired by the exhibition, plus Self Care Creatives’ Exploring Watercolour Pencil Art activity in the Museum. Activities are suitable for age 3+ with a suggested donation of just £3pp to take part in all of them.

The exhibition continues on Thursdays and Fridays 10:00-16:00 and Saturdays 11:00-15:00 until 15:00 on November 16th.