Donations doubled to support free therapeutic drawing classes at Bishop Auckland's Artists' Hub
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
A pioneering project supporting people’s health through classical art tuition has been selected by the Big Give Arts for Impact Campaign – a high-profile match-funding event.
The backing of this national charity means donations will be doubled during a campaign week in March, providing free classes for those being supported by ‘social prescription’.
From midday on March 17 to midday on March 24, all donations made to The Auckland Project through the Big Give platform will be matched pound-for-pound. The charity is aiming to raise £3,250 which will be fully matched to reach a total of £6,500 to support free places in its classical drawing classes for people who would most benefit.
The funding will support Drawing Strength: Classical Art Tuition for Health, delivered at the charity’s recently opened Artists’ Hub. Led by Jilly Johnston, the atelier-style classes are rooted in traditional methods of careful observation and slow, focused study. It is a style of drawing tuition unchanged since the 19th century, with participants spending up to 30 hours perfecting a single piece.
While designed as rigorous artistic training, the 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.
As part of the campaign week, the public is invited to experience the benefits of slow, focused drawing first-hand. On Saturday 21 March from 10.00 to 12.30, The Artists’ Hub will host a relaxed portrait-drawing workshop featuring a live sitter. Suitable for all ages and abilities, the session offers a chance to sketch from life, slow down and enjoy the quiet concentration of traditional drawing.
The ticketed workshop is free to attend, with donations warmly encouraged in support of The Auckland Project’s Big Give campaign. Tickets can be booked at https://tickets.aucklandproject.org/event-tickets/76182?catID=40885.
Jilly Johnston, Hearth Art Specialist, said: “Taking part in the Big Give campaign provides 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. Match funding will allow us to offer free, socially prescribed places to those who need this opportunity most.”
Big Give is the UK’s leading online match-funding platform that doubles donations to charities, amplifying their impact. Founded in 2007 by Sir Alec Reed, it connects donors with vetted charitable projects, having raised over £430m to support 22,000+ projects.
By raising £3,250 during the campaign week, The Auckland Project will unlock the full match fund and expand access to 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.
Supporters are encouraged to donate via The Auckland Project’s dedicated Big Give Arts for Impact campaign page between March 17 and 24 to ensure their gift is doubled.:
For more information and to donate, visit The Auckland Project’s website: https://aucklandproject.org/
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