Arts Network Sutton is an independent, charitable organisation that brings together the wealth of creative talent in the borough.
The Arts Network provides a focus for all kinds of arts activities, aiming to enhance Sutton’s cultural and artistic life. Art forms as varied as drama, digital storytelling, music of all kinds, web site design, craft, camera clubs, poetry and more – all have an essential part to play in the network. By joining forces we strengthen and support each other, enhancing the presence and effect of the arts in Sutton and inspiring our community.
We encourage and support in the development of local artists and organisations through training and education opportunities, collaboration, marketing and funding advice and supporting the use of local facilities. We also work to advance the education of the public in the arts and champion projects that will benefit residents in the London Borough of Sutton.
To see our full constitution please click HERE
Annual events include:
The “Art as Therapy” exhibition, now in its 5th year and usually held in the autumn, is for amateur artists who are disadvantaged in some way. There are normally about 10 participating organisations, ranging from Sutton Mental Health Foundation to High Down Prison. This exhibition gives great pleasure to artists and their families from helping to set up, and then see, their work on public display. It is also of particular interest to the general public, who see imaginative and expressive work ‘produced from the heart’, with little or no commercial motive.
The “Youth Art” exhibition, now in its 10th year and usually held in winter, is open to all age groups of pupils in Sutton secondary schools. Sixteen of the 19 eligible schools participated last year, the remainder declining because of staff shortages. For the last two years, ANS (formerly SAC) has run this exhibition on its own, due to cuts in SCOLA’s budget, forcing the College to discontinue its involvement. In line with our aims to nurture and be inclusive, this year saw the exihbition open its walls to artwork from Sutton Home Education Forum’s home educated artists
One off projects include:
A series of eight ‘Culture Walks’ is to be delivered in the most deprived areas of Sutton by ANS member Chas Bailey. The project brings together arts and health, with support from the ProActive fund, LBS arts fund and local committees of Beddington and St Helier.
Arts Network Sutton also offer grants of up to £500 three times a years and recent projects have included:
● Cheyham Residents Association (£250) for art supplies to allow elderly and vulnerable residents to learn artistic skills
● Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton (£500) to pilot a creative way of helping refugees and migrants to socialise and integrate through an art and craft approach
● Rachel Sambrooks (£325) to pilot a childrens’ show using poetry and storytelling at Sutton Library
● SamiArt (£380) to start arts and craft workshops for 2-3 year olds with focus on encouraging parents to engage creatively with their children, in North Cheam and signpost families onto creative opportunities such as family classes at Sutton College, Take Part Take Pride events & Imagine Arts Festival
● Hello Arts and Crafts (£460) for a community group of retired people to share skills and make beautiful things under guidance from a professional artist for a delightful exhibition at Honeywood Museum where their work was available to buy.