Inner Space, Outer Place

Art Is Collective is a multi-ability, multi-disciplinary group of artists. They meet every Thursday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm in 2 Royal Avenue to support each other on their artistic journeys. The Collective emerged when artists Ngaire Jackson and Bronagh Lawson observed that some artists with disabilities or mental health issues needed more of a studio environment to develop their work.

Art Is Collective provides a supported studio environment dedicated to fostering and nurturing the creative ambition and professional development of their artists. With the support of experienced and established artists including Alastair Mac Lennan and Cobie Moore, those who take part in Art Is Collective can realistically aspire to develop their professional arts practice in a nurturing and creative environment. Art Is Collective continues to develop, evolve and challenge misconceptions around arts, disability, mental health and participation. Sarah McConnell has been working with Bronagh and Ngaire for six years. She has shown work in several exhibitions across Belfast and held studio space in Belfast School of Art. Jeffrey has been drawing for years. He joined the Art Is Collective group when they were meeting in Castlecourt in 2023, and brought work from home to develop. He also had a studio space with the group when they were based in the Belfast School of Art.