Unique Sheffield arts charity to reopen against the odds just in time to celebrate their 5th birthday

The Art House is a small charity in the heart of the city doing essential work with marginalised people in the community.

The primary source of funding for the charity is running art and ceramics classes for the general public. After closing their doors due to Covid-19 in March they have lost this essential funding, putting The Art House at risk of permanent closure.

A spokesman said: “Small charities like The Art House have had to find new and creative ways of fundraising to ensure they survive lockdown. All the while they have been finding new and meaningful ways of continuing to support the people that rely on their services.

“Now, after almost five months, this unique local charity is getting ready to open its doors again just in time to celebrate their 5th birthday. Its survival, against overwhelming odds, has been a story of creativity, generosity and sheer power of wills.

Included in the fundraising ideas was pottery manager Mike Scown throwing 1,000 small pots as a reward for anyone who donated £10 or more to the charity’s Go Fund Me page; and an online art auction of original pieces by renowned local artists including Pete McKee, Joe Scarborough, Coralie Turpin, Karen Hessenberg, and James Green.

Despite managing to get through lockdown by changing the way the charity raises funds, they still face an uphill struggle. The challenge now is to bring people back to the creative classes and workshops that help make them self-sufficient.

Wellbeing manager Tara Brown said: “It’s been a really tough time for small charities, so we’re thrilled to be opening our doors again. On behalf of us and the people that rely on our services we can’t thank everyone who helped enough.

“We’re not out of the woods yet though, lack of cash flow is still a major threat to our survival. We’ve responded by putting together a wide range of brilliant online and socially distanced creative courses. There’s something for everyone, ranging from painting and pottery to mindful photography and mosaics.

“We’re hoping people will join us to continue fighting to save The Art House so we can carry on our important work in the future.”

Donation link to The Art House GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/daisy039s-campaign-for-the-art-house

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