St Mary’s House art project Sally Taylor Head of Supported Housing

Starting out 0 EMHA attended the initial launch for the Phase 1 funding 0 Had a couple of ideas from our own personalisation work within the organisation 0 Attended the networking session and met micro providers at the speed dating event 0 Discussed working together and a partnership was formed 0 Telephone discussions held and then Katherine, our artist visited our scheme and spoke to the staff team 0 The idea was formed and together we worked on a bid

Next steps 0 Original idea was changed following discussions and scheme visit 0 The idea of an art intergenerational project with links to the local school and community was formed 0 Joint bid was submitted 0 Flexibility throughout the process 0 Relationships growing and starting to work together 0 Commitment from EMHA

What we gained? 0 The funding bid ! 0 Partnership working with skilled professionals 0 Capacity and time of the artists involved 0 Support and encouragement 0 Successful outcomes 0 Stronger community links 0 Great co production, tenant involvement and feedback 0 Real fun and a sense of achievement for staff, tenants and the children

Legacy 0 Stronger links with community 0 Tenants who have improved skills and made new friends 0 New ideas and shared skills for staff and tenants 0 The booklet, DVD and art work 0 Great publicity and photos 0 Future bids and possibilities 0 Link with micro provider that worked well 0 Successful outcomes for all involved

Get bidding !

0 An idea Beauty and Utility Arts had been looking for partnership on – phase one offered a good opportunity. 0 Chance to work with a great team from Community Catalysts and EMA to develop further. 0 Visiting St. Mary’s confirmed it was the right place to run this – fully supportive staff, wonderful residents.

0 In terms of co-production and partnership working the core project involved: 0 Beauty and Utility Arts 0 EMA 0 Winsome Ruddock – participatory artist 0 St. Mary’s residents, friends and families 0 Age Concern – supporting at St. Mary’s 0 Staff team at EMA with invaluable knowledge 0 John Wycliffe Primary school children, staff + families 0 Lutterworth Museum 0 Touch Tables - LCC

0 Touring the exhibition: 0 St. Mary’s church, Lutterworth 0 Lutterworth Library 0 Atkins Building, Hinckley – where Beauty and Utility Arts is based 0 Hinckley and Bosworth Arts Network 0 Innovation Challenge networking meetings

0 Creating a professional structure: 0 Outcomes is an essential part of any project + identifying and celebrating new outcomes as projects progress (project buddies, long term relationship with the school) 0 Learning diaries assisted with focusing on this + any barriers/problems and pull together for an end of project evaluation. 0 As a result of this project Beauty and Utility Arts is looking into protecting the project ‘I’m no good at Art’ and taking it to other areas across the country.

0 Advice: 0 Spend time getting to know potential project partners 0 Cost in time for meetings and extra events (especially for non salaried micro businesses etc) 0 Define project roles and expectations right from the start 0 Communicate regularly 0 Be ready to adapt projects on the go and respond to participants’ needs

To read more about ‘I’m no good at Art’ and other Beauty and Utility Arts projects, or to discuss a possible application, get in touch with Katherine Brown: Twitter: beauty_utility