Based in Carlisle, Prism has been delivering creative programmes for learning disabled and neurodivergent visual and performing artists since 1987. Alongside our core studio and exhibition programmes, the charity works across Cumbria to deliver transition projects for SEND young people and inclusivity training for organisations. 

Our studio programmes, youth workshops and projects are run by professional artists who work in partnership with the participants, facilitating them in all aspects of the creative process from research, to creating, to exhibiting or performing.

Our programmes allow individuals to explore their own identities through access to high quality materials and artist facilitators, to create exceptional work and to and to build life-changing confidence, connections and communities. Visit our stories page to hear from Prism Artists about the impact our studio programme has had for them.

Our studio artists take part in creative projects county-wide, working in partnership with organisations such as galleries, museums, schools and theatres. If you’d like to learn more about each of our studio artists, check out our Artists Gallery Page!

Our head office and studio are based in Carlisle at:

Prism Arts, Central Methodist Hall, 5 Market Street, Carlisle, CA3 8QJ

Visit our Contact Page to get in touch.

We run projects throughout Cumbria.

No. The number of participants in each session is limited to ensure quality of experience and safety. To find out how to join each individual programme please visit our Join Us Page. To discuss each programme in more detail and to arrange a taster session so you can find out if the session is right for you, please contact a member of our team.

We currently run four regular, weekly programmes in Carlisle are for adults (18+) with learning disabilities and/ or autism. Studio Lift-Off is especially designed for young adults aged 18-25.

Our events and community projects are designed for all sectors of the local community.

If you want help creating a project for a group of people that you work with, please visit our Work With Us Page.

You can read more information about all our programmes on our Enrollment Page. Once you’ve got a basic feel for what we offer, please contact us so we can set up a meeting and arrange a taster session for you to experience the group firsthand, with no commitment.

Yes. This is our charity number: 1159797.

It’s easy! Simply head to our Donate Page.

For more information on how to donate to Prism and other ways that you can support our charity to deliver quality arts projects, develop emerging creative talent and more, visit our Support Us Page.

There are lots of ways to volunteer. Please get in touch so we can match your skills and time availability to a role. 

Any current job vacancies can be found here. To keep up to date with the latest opportunities and vacancies please sign up to our mailing list or follow us on social media:

Yes. We develop and deliver projects in schools across the county and we have worked with many different schools (both primary and secondary) in the past. Currently, we have a SEND offer available to educational institutes across Cumbria, supporting Transition Programmes for neurodivergent young people aged 16 – 25.

We run inclusive, public workshops on a commissioned basis, such as during the Rest Under The Stars: Cumbrian Journey tour. We also occasionally run drop-in public workshops during our annual exhibition showcases. To keep up to date with our work you can sign up to our newsletter using the form at the bottom on the website.

To see examples of our previous community projects you can look through our Prism Archive page.

If you would like to work with us to deliver a project in your community please contact us to talk about your needs.

Our Studio Theatre programme is not currently touring, but we have a long and proud history of touring theatre productions across the county. You can explore the Prism Archive page for more details of our past productions.

Our programmes and projects often result in exhibitions and we have been asked to show our work in countless settings across the county. We love to showcase the emerging talent of our artists across all our programmes. Browse previous exhibitions here.

We provide work experience placements for interested applicants. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch explaining what you are looking for, where your interests lie and what skills you can offer.

We currently do not offer apprenticeships.

Occasionally there are other training opportunities. Keep up to date by signing up to our newsletter or following us on social media:

Our Youth Theatre for children and young people with additional needs (aged 10-19) runs in the evenings and often has holiday sessions and projects. Visit our Youth Theatre Page for more information. Any additional opportunities will be promoted through social media or via the mailing list. Hear about them first by signing up or following our accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As a charity, we rely heavily on donations from our lovely supporters. We would love it if you feel able to fundraise on our behalf. All funds raised are spent on local projects and helping local people to realise and develop their creative talents. Whether you want to run a bake sale, do a sponsored bike ride or run an online campaign, please get in touch and we will do whatever we can to support you. We can’t wait to hear your big ideas and help you to achieve your fundraising goals.

Our work can often be viewed in exhibitions around Cumbria. For up to date opportunities please join our mailing list or visit our News Page. Examples of previous work can be found here. If you are interested in viewing the work of our individual artists, most of them have their own profile page including a gallery of their work. Visit our Artists Page.

We’ve got a fantastically talented team who work across our programmes and projects. Visit our Meet the Team Page for more information.

We have a diverse group of experienced trustees – but we are always looking for new trustees that can bring their own specialist skills to the team. What can you bring? Please contact us to find out more about the role and what it involves.

We are a friendly bunch at Prism Arts and we love to hear about all the talented artists living and working in the region. We are regularly on the lookout for artists with particular skills, or experience working in a certain medium. Find out more here.

There are lots of ways to work with us! If you would like to raise your profile through an arts project or simply give back to your local community, we have corporate sponsorship opportunities for companies of all sizes and budgets. Please get in touch to talk about your needs.

Alternatively, if you’d like us to create and deliver a project for you or groups within your community, please see our Commission Us page or give us a call.

We can also offer team building activities or bespoke inclusivity training. Please call our office on 01228 587691 for further details.

We are an Arts Council NPO organisation

“National Portfolio Organisations are leaders in their areas, with a collective responsibility to protect and develop our national arts and cultural ecology”.

However, this represents only a percentage of our overall funding. Many of our projects are funded by different grant makers such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Esmee Fairburn Foundation, Children in Need and more locally, the Cumbria Community Foundation.

We raise additional income from our weekly programmes which can be funded privately or through direct payments. Other income is generated through private commissions and individual donations from the general public. We also run fundraising campaigns at specific times of the year.

Here at Prism Arts, we like to reuse, repurpose and recycle wherever possible. We use all sorts of materials in our work. Please get in touch if you have any materials that you think we might find useful. Items that we are on the lookout for include easels, sewing machines, large cuts of fabric and paint.