A pioneering project supporting people’s health through classical art tuition has exceeded its fundraising target as part of the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign.
The Auckland Project raised a total of £6,688 from 74 donations (increasing to £7,250 with Gift Aid), surpassing its original £6,500 target and unlocking vital match funding to expand access to its innovative drawing programme for those most in need.
The campaign, which ran from midday on March 17 to midday on March 24, doubled donations made through the Big Give platform – helping to fund free places in Drawing Strength: Classical Art Tuition for Health.
Delivered at the charity’s recently opened Artists’ Hub, the classes are led by Jilly Johnston and follow a traditional atelier-style approach. Rooted in techniques unchanged since the 19th century, the sessions require careful observation and deep focus, with participants spending up to 30 hours perfecting a single piece.
While designed as rigorous artistic training, a pilot course at the Spanish Gallery in Bishop Auckland revealed unexpected and powerful health benefits. Participants reported improvements in chronic pain, low mood and social isolation. One attendee was able to significantly reduce pain medication, while another said the course had “knit her back together”.
The programme is now being accessed through a local Social Prescribing network, offering a non-clinical pathway to support people living with chronic pain, Long Covid, low mood and other long-term conditions – issues that disproportionately affect lower-income communities and can lead to increased isolation.
Jilly Johnston, Hearth Art Specialist, said: “Taking part in the Big Give campaign provided an exciting opportunity for our supporters to make double the impact at a time when it matters most.
“We have seen a remarkable change in people who have taken part in these classes. The deep focus, the quiet concentration and the slow pace of classical drawing have delivered powerful therapeutic benefits. Thanks to this incredible support, we can now offer more free, socially prescribed places to those who need it most.”
Jane Ruffer, CEO of The Auckland Project, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the generosity of our supporters and the impact of this campaign. To exceed our target in this way is a powerful endorsement of the work we are doing.
“What began as an exploration of traditional artistic practice has revealed something much deeper – a meaningful way to support people’s health and wellbeing. Thanks to this funding, we can extend that opportunity to more people across our community, particularly those who may benefit most.”
Funds raised will enable The Auckland Project to expand the programme, while also building evidence of the health benefits of classical drawing to support future partnerships with Social Prescribing and NHS networks across South Durham.
Big Give is the UK’s leading online match-funding platform, doubling donations to charities and amplifying their impact. Founded in 2007 by Sir Alec Reed, it has raised more than £430 million to support over 22,000 projects. For the ‘Drawing Strength’ project at The Auckland Project, match funding was provided by Arts Council England.
For more information, visit The Auckland Project’s website: https://aucklandproject.org/
