Empowering Young Creatives: How the BCBN Grant Brought New Life to Arundel Museum’s Children’s Workshops
The Arundel Museum Society was awarded a £3150 grant from BCBN, enabling them to expand their outreach through free Lego and art workshops for local children. By removing financial barriers, the programme ensured children aged 5–11—including those with special educational needs or challenging home situations could access creative and educational opportunities.
Across school holidays and weekends, 140 children and their families took part in themed sessions such as Marvellous Matisse, where children created framed collages, and Picturing Picasso, which encouraged painting on wearable t-shirts. Lego workshops promoted teamwork and problem-solving, with children designing everything from festive displays to entire towns. Parents and guardians also highlighted how enjoyable and engaging the sessions were for the whole family.
The impact of the grant extended well beyond the workshops. The museum recruited new volunteers, strengthened partnerships with local schools, and welcomed families visiting for the first time. Feedback reflected the value of these inclusive creative spaces: “My grandchildren started the session nervous and ended it making friends and sharing ideas.”
With BCBN’s support, Arundel Museum has been able to deliver high-quality, accessible learning experiences while strengthening its role as a cultural and educational hub. Looking ahead, the museum plans to build on this success by continuing to offer opportunities that ensure cost is never a barrier to creativity.
