About us
Brook Arts Hub is located in the leafy village of Shottery, Stratford upon Avon, right next to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and opposite The Garden Café. The building, a thatched cottage, is owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, who has leased it to Arts Rising Collective (ARC) - a Community Interest Company established in 2021 - for an initial two-year period.
Mission, VisionS & Values
Mission
Support local artists, creatives, and anyone interested to learn about the arts. Connect communities through the arts, including the provision of an arts hub. Develop and enhance artistic opportunities for residents, and the wider community, via low-cost sessions, workshops, classes, events, networking opportunities, artist studios and a free warm hub. Provide a welcoming, inclusive space to improve community wellbeing through the arts. Enable local people to share and learn new skills, reduce loneliness and increase mental and physical wellbeing.
VISIONS
CREATIVITY: ARC’s vision is to create a welcoming and inclusive creative space for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For us, ‘creativity’ and ‘the arts’ cover a broad range of disciplines, especially, but not limited to, the visual arts, creative writing and music. We provide affordable or free opportunities for people to come together to exhibit, share, teach and learn new creative skills. ARC is specifically committed to fostering wellbeing through creativity and social connectedness for socially disadvantaged individuals. We believe in the transformative powers of creativity and the arts for social support and wellbeing.
WELLBEING: ARC is making Brook Arts Hub a place for wellbeing by offering a free, communal warm hub (The Forest Room) as well as creative and restorative activities such as Wellbeing Wednesdays and Create & Connect Mondays. The hub welcomes people from all age groups, backgrounds and abilities and acknowledges that most people lack confidence, both socially and creatively. At Brook Arts Hub we foster and encourage a supportive, kind and welcoming atmosphere, where people can feel at home and make new friends, whilst learning new skills, boost their confidence and explore their creativity.
COMMUNITY: ARC has established a thriving creative community with around 600 subscribers which has grown steadily since 2021. At Brook Arts Hub we nurture and expand this community, fostering a sense of belonging and the opportunity to forge new friendships and connections not least for those who are vulnerable, isolated and in poverty. Combating loneliness and isolation is vital to ARC. By hosting creative classes, workshops, events and exhibitions, as well as providing artist’s studios and a creative, warm, sociable space with armchairs, books and free hot drinks, we provide a friendly and inclusive environment, where everyone is equal, appreciated and welcome.
VALUES
Creativity
& Innovation
Encourage artistic expression and experimentation. Provide a space for exploring new ideas and art forms.
Inclusivity
& Diversity
Celebrate a wide range of cultures, perspectives, and abilities. Ensure programming and space are accessible to all, including underserved or marginalised groups.
Community Connection
Foster collaboration among local artists, residents, and organisations.Create opportunities for people to connect through shared artistic experiences.
Education
& Learning
Offer workshops, classes, and mentorship to support skill-building and personal growth. Promote arts as a tool for lifelong learning.
Sustainability
Operate with an environmental consciousness in materials, practices, and events. Build a sustainable financial model to ensure long-term community impact.
Empowerment
& Advocacy
Amplify local voices through art and storytelling. Use the arts to advocate for social justice and community well-being.
Collaboration
& Partnership
Partner with schools, cultural groups, and other community organisations to extend reach. Encourage interdisciplinary projects that merge art with science, technology, and social causes.
Accessibility
Offer affordable or free activities to ensure everyone can participate. Adapt spaces to be welcoming to people with disabilities.