Project Ability

Project Ability is a Glasgow-based developmental arts organisation.  Since 1984 they have been leading the way in promoting equality of access to the visual arts by supporting people of all ages and abilities to take part in innovative projects. This January they featured Young Talent 2005, a multimedia exhibition showcasing work produced by children and young people with disabilities.

For further information about Young Talent 2005 visit our projects section.

Making Art Accessible

Project Ability creates opportunities for individuals to: increase their confidence and discover their artistic ability through a developmental workshop programme benefit from tuition within a professional working environment take part in local, national and international arts events.

Project Ability is based at The Centre for Developmental Arts (CDA), a multipurpose space housing:

• two galleries – showing and selling contemporary artwork by local and international disabled artists (open weekdays)
• the Trongate Studios (mental health project)
• fully accessible workshops with professional resources and facilities

Project Ability works with:

Adults with learning disabilities:

Each week around a hundred learning disabled adults participate in workshops at the CDA. Many more take part in outreach projects in other local authority areas surrounding Glasgow. The programme is long-term, and is designed in collaboration with the participants to respond to their changing needs.

Working with professional artists, participants develop their own independent style and have the opportunity to create work for exhibition.
 

People with mental health problems: The Trongate Studios were set up in 1994 to provide a safe and supportive artists’ resource for people with mental illness. The studios offer around 80 members access to their own studio space and to a wide variety of materials.  Members can show and sell their work in the Trongate Studios Gallery.

Children and Young People with Disabilities:

Project Ability works in partnership with education to provide workshops for school children in Glasgow and the surrounding regions; they also run an extensive out-of-school programme for young people, providing arts activities at weekends, evenings and during the school holidays.

Project Ability also works with:

• young homeless people
• people from minority ethnic communities

External exhibitions

As well as taking part in the Glasgow Art Fair every year, Project Ability curates exhibitions in a wide range of external venues.  There is an extensive audience for the participants’ work – many are invited to show in exhibitions or film festivals throughout the UK and overseas.  The company also works with arts organisations across Scotland and abroad to develop opportunities for cultural exchange.

Project Ability Centre for Developmental Arts 18 Albion Street Glasgow, G1 1LH Tel: 0141 552 2822 Email: info@project-ability.co.uk