Emerging from the Covid pandemic, Art in the Docks was established by a group of working artists who wanted to give something back to the community where they rented their studios. Although still a young organisation, Art in the Docks has made a significant impact and continues to steadily establish itself as an integral part of the local east London community, through its clear vision to support those through and art and creativity, who may otherwise have no access.

Art in the Docks is the only organisation of its kind, located in a community of around 35,000 residents living between Beckton and North Woolwich. Placed to the far eastern edge of the Royal Docks, this area is not easy to reach and, within Newham itself, is located far from Stratford, where much of Newham’s arts and culture investment is concentrated. The community itself is young and diverse, with many being first generation migrants and levels of unemployment and poverty are high, contributing to a lack of social mobility. It’s a place where many residents feel that the world of art and culture does not belong to them. For the founding artists, the challenge of changing this narrative was a powerful motivation.

Reflecting on how they work, Art in the Docks is guided by what the community tells them. They recognise that parents want the best education for their children and the opportunity to engage with art is an important part of this. Alongside working with local families, Arts in the Docks supports 5 primary schools, collectively reaching over 3000 children. Despite the importance of creativity at this age in a child’s development, formal arts teaching is often limited within the curriculum. At the same time, artists from Art in the Docks have spoken with young adults in their twenties, who have expressed their desire to work in the creative industries but have never been shown how they could access these opportunities. Across generations, art has felt inaccessible to residents in this area. This realisation inspired Art in the Docks to create something, beyond their own artworks, that opened cultural pathways for the wider community.

Art in Docks offers a range of different workshops and activities, accessible to different groups in the community. Every weekend there are workshops for families, which provides a much-needed place to go and something to do, in an area where there are few community facilities. Everyone is welcome, whether they are old enough to take part in the activities or not, so parents can bring their young children, and single parents can meet others in the same position. Workshops are delivered by professional artists and designed to be inclusive and create a social environment. Rather than the more typical face painting you may expect to find, participants are encouraged to engage with art in thoughtful and inspiring ways, which may look like painting sunflowers in the style of Van Gogh, exploring Turner’s dramatic skies, or drawing with the bold shapes of Picasso. It is not unusual to see eight-year-olds proudly sharing Matisse-inspired drawings, reminding everyone that children can engage with art at a sophisticated level when given the opportunity.

Social isolation affects many residents in different ways. For those in their twenties and thirties, living in shared accommodation with strangers can mean that life becomes a cycle of work, home and retreating to their bedrooms to become immersed in online entertainment. For older residents, the loss of a partner or reduced mobility can result in days passing without leaving the house or speaking to another person. By offering creative workshops for adults, Art in the Docks has provided ways for people to meet, form friendships and share experiences, while discovering new creative skills. In doing so, the organisation recognises that those who are often overlooked in society, as also deserving of opportunities to come together and benefit from creative expression.

One of the most powerful developments has been the increasing number of people who attend workshops independently, sometimes seeking respite from challenging home environments. The sessions offer a safe, non-judgemental space, particularly for women, who can share experiences and, as a result, supportive friendships form. Over time, this has led to the development of an informal support network where the group understand each other’s circumstances and lift each other up. Reflecting on the impact of this work, founder Christopher Mike notes: “Two years ago, some people would say, ‘I can’t paint, I can’t draw.’ Now some of them are producing some of the most visceral and powerful work you could imagine, often based on their lived experience. They find the process deeply cathartic.”

The workshops have not only supported individuals but have helped build a community, within the community. They visit exhibitions together - something many would have never considered a possibility before their time with Art in the Docks. By introducing residents to the work of major artists, a connection is formed that sparks curiosity and confidence. Suddenly, visiting the National Gallery no longer feels out of reach because people recognise what they are looking at and feel part of that cultural world.

Art in the Docks has also been invited by a stroke survivors’ group in Newham to deliver regular creative activity sessions. The shared experience of the members, who are living with the life-changing experience of a stroke, profoundly affects both individuals and their families. Creative activities such as drawing can help restore coordination between the hand, eye and brain, supporting improvements in dexterity and motor skills through regular practice. Participants have embraced these sessions enthusiastically and report that the benefits extend into other areas of their daily lives. Even without dedicated funding, Art in the Docks chose to deliver these sessions free of charge, believing the value to participants outweighed the financial cost.

Across its workshops, activities and large-scale community events, including public parades and celebrations, Art in the Docks now reaches between 6,000 and 7,000 residents each year. The organisation is connecting with many who may otherwise remain isolated, by creating opportunities for participation, celebration and healing through art and creativity. As one participant explained: “Art in the Docks encourages our creativity and our ideas have gone from this hidden thing in our mind, out into galleries, and out into the world."

Despite this impact, Art in the Docks recognises that it can achieve much more. As Christopher reflects, “We’re nowhere near reaching our full potential.” Like many grassroots organisations, recognition and funding remain significant challenges. In many ways, just as some residents experience isolation, so too can small organisations who are working in the margins of the cultural sector.

Organisationally, Art in the Docks is led by artists who are grounded in grassroots practice, demonstrating the power of being embedded within the community it serves. This proximity allows them to be seen as authentic, trusted and responsive by the community – qualities which are harder to achieve for larger organisations and institutions.

Their most powerful asset is the ongoing dialogue with local residents, who actively shape the work through sharing their ideas, interests and needs. While they have an ambition to grow, Art in the Docks is committed to preserving  the values developed whilst still a small, community-based organisation. It hopes to deepen its role within the emerging field of creative health, evidencing the value of arts participation to GPs and other services working to address health inequalities. With an agile structure and creative mindset, Art in Docks is exploring partnerships and opportunities to expand its work to be able to deliver programmes for people with specific needs. The organisation is not simply rewriting the narrative for communities in the Royal Docks but supporting them to create a future with art and culture as part of it.