We’re supporting Eastside Educational Trust to make arts education accessible for every child, using creative workshops to boost confidence, literacy, and self-expression.
For the last 30 years, Eastside Educational Trust has been delivering creative education programmes for children and young people. Their core mission is to inspire young people through participation in the arts, helping to develop critical thinking, confidence and communication skills.
Eastside works directly with young people and strategically with schools to expand access to creative learning, particularly in underserved communities where arts education has seen a decline. Through a wide range of workshops, artist residencies and digital programmes, young people are encouraged to engage more with their education and personal development.
We believe that every child deserves creative opportunities, and we’re proud to support Eastside on their journey to make arts education more accessible.
We’ve awarded Eastside £60,000 over three years to deliver their Artists in Residence programme across Tower Hamlets and the City of London.
Eastside is sincerely grateful for the support of the Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation which will enable us to deliver our fantastic Artists in Residence programme to schools across Tower Hamlets and the City of London. Sustained, in depth creative residencies like these give young people the time to grow in confidence and imagination, and we can’t wait to see the impact of the work ripple out across whole school communities over the next three years. – Matt Lane, Eastside CEO / Artistic Director
The Artists in Residence programme places professional artists into primary and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools as a response to the current “creativity crisis” facing education.
Prioritising schools with high levels of Free School Meals, English as an Additional Language (EAL), or SEND requirements, the programme pairs teachers with professional artists. Together, they design collaborative workshops delivered directly in classrooms, ensuring creative learning aligns with broader school goals like literacy, oracy, and cultural awareness.
Beyond the direct benefit to students, the programme supports teachers by training them to embed arts-based approaches permanently into everyday teaching. The project culminates in school-based Creative Festivals where students can showcase their work to parents, governors, and the local community. This is a great opportunity to boost pupil’s self-confidence and pride in their work.
Participating in these creative programmes allows children to build essential soft skills, improve cognitive development, and explore positive pathways for their future education.
At the centre of the Artists in Residence project is a commitment to ensuring that creativity remains a meaningful, accessible part of every child’s school experience, regardless of their background.
We love supporting projects that build brighter futures and create educational opportunities for young people in Tower Hamlets and the City of London. If you’re running a project with the same mission, visit our Funding page to learn more and apply.
