Prism Arts is an inclusive arts organisation and registered charity based in Carlisle, Cumbria. We run creative studio programmes for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. 

We run regular studio programmes for adults with learning disabilities and autism which focus on either visual arts or theatre in Carlisle. We also run weekly workshops for young people on a commissioned basis.

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.

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.

Our weekly programmes in Carlisle are for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Youth Theatre sessions are for children and young people aged 10 – 19 years old with learning disabilities, autism and additional needs.

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 here. 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 click here.

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. Find out more here.

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. Explore our work with schools here.

We don’t run open workshops in community settings but we do create projects that involve the community such as The Carlisle Puppet Pageant. To see examples of our previous community projects click here.

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

Yes! We have two theatre companies who create their own theatre productions and have toured theatre venues in Cumbria. See some of our theatre productions and tours here.

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.