Impact Report SPREADS 121223 - Flipbook - Page 20
Art at the Heart CIC was founded
in 2016.
Alarmed by the rising levels of mental health issues
and the numbers of teenagers coming to art and
design as a last resort, the founders decided they
needed to act.
With 25 years’ experience in post 16 education,
they had witnessed how arts and cultural education
positively affected lives.
Art at the Heart
Journey to Excellence in Action
Kamaljit and Mukesh set up Art at the Heart CIC
to work with communities, employers and schools
to embed the arts into everyday life. Arts and
culture can play a preventative role against some of
society’s challenges, assisting with reducing stress,
increasing wellbeing and creative problem solving.
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Art at the Heart reached out to Cran昀椀eld Trust in
2022 as it was applying for National Portfolio status
with the Arts Council. To strengthen its application
and ability to deliver projects on a larger scale, the
CIC was aware it needed to be more in tune with the
Art’s Council areas of focus, including governance.
Art at the Heart wished to build on its mission,
vision, values and three year plan to help it grow and
develop and to meet the Arts Council brief. It had
appointed a Chair, but needed support in building
the rest of the Board, 昀椀nding the right people with
the right skills.
An appropriate volunteer was identi昀椀ed: Deirdre
had experience in the arts sector, and knowledge of
fundraising for arts organisations.
Founder Director Mukesh commented
on the impact of the project, and J2E:
“Deirdre brought clarity to our vision,
helped us to realise our potential,
sharpened our monitoring and
evaluation systems to deliver higher
quality services, and facilitated the
process of becoming tender ready.”
