WHO WE ARE

Ark-T is an arts and community centre with a focus on mental health and wellbeing – a place where people, art and powerful ideas come together. 

From our venues in Cowley and Blackbird Leys, East Oxford, we use the powers of creativity and connection to change lives and inspire community-driven social change. In the coming year we anticipate reaching 3,000 people, a substantial increase on recent years due to the increased visibility of our new venue in a busy shopping centre.

For over 20 years, Ark-T has created safe and inclusive spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can take part in the arts and experience  the positive impact creativity has on mental and physical health. We address the multiple inequalities in our communities, some of which are in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England (one in  the 10% most deprived) with up to 39% of children living in poverty in some areas (English Indices of Deprivation, 2019).

We provide free to access, person-centred creative programmes for children and young people; opportunities for training, pathways to volunteering and employment, events which bring people of all ages together to enjoy shared experiences and support for people to use their  creative talents to make a difference in their communities. 

Our vision is for the communities in this area to become recognised for their creative talent and leadership and to no longer be labelled as victims of a system of inequality, but instead celebrated as  powerful makers of creativity and community-led change. We strive to be a flexible and adaptable organisation, listening to our communities and the young people who attend our programmes and responding to their needs. We work collaboratively with a range of partners across Oxford to maximise our reach and deepen our impact.  

 ‘I feel better now. If I hadn’t come here I would feel the same as before.’ – Young person