In 2014 an innovative partnership between Notting Hill Genesis and Cubitt was established, by converting formally disused spaces in the Notting Hill Genesis extra care setting in Mildmay, Islington into two artist studios.
The artists, who were selected for their passion to involve residents socially, paid below market rent for their studios and in turn offered in-kind specialist creative workshops for residents. The rental income was then re-used directly to financially support other wellbeing activities.
Cubitt is an artist-led co-operative built on a belief in the value of art and artists in society. Cubitt believes art and artists can support communities in imagining new worlds and ways of being, where people who are most impacted by struggles in their community, are leaders in shaping culture and creativity. Through the partnership with Notting Hill Genesis and their embedded artist residency programmes in local care settings, Cubitt is able to listen deeply and develop collaborative projects with artists and residents.
The photos on display celebrate some of the work produced during workshops with residents and showcase the artist’s own creative practice. The energetic and joyous occasions come across.
A big thank you to all the former artists who have had such a positive impact on residents over the years. Thanks to Ben Owen and Joshuar Sofaer for sharing their photographs and the wonderful and energetic Marian Howell, Notting Hill Genesis’s Activities Officer at the Mildmay and the driving force behind this creative work.
