A creative revolution takes root soon, one brushstroke at a time.
For the first time, young people and women from the Bangladeshi and wider BAME communities in Northampton are being offered a dedicated space to explore painting and sculpture, visit galleries and museums, and exhibit their art in public. This year-long initiative, Empowering Youth and Women Through Visual Arts, is not just about learning to paint — it’s about breaking barriers, uplifting voices, and reshaping a community’s connection to the cultural world around them.
The Gap We’re Filling
In the Bangladeshi community of Northamptonshire, visual arts have long been a silent corner — admired, perhaps, but rarely pursued. There are no regular art clubs for Bangladeshi youth, no exhibitions that feature their work, and little encouragement for creative careers. Many have never imagined art as something for them.
This project sets out to change that.
We’re engaging 100 young people (aged 10–23) and up to 15 women from the Bangladeshi and broader BAME communities in a powerful year-long journey through creativity. They’ll paint, sculpt, visit iconic museums, and display their work in a public exhibition. Along the way, they’ll also break stereotypes, challenge taboos, and discover hidden talents—some perhaps for the first time in their lives.
What’s Been Holding People Back?
This absence of engagement in the arts isn’t about a lack of interest — it’s about barriers. Here are three we’ve seen time and again in our community outreach:
1. Art Feels Like a Luxury
For families focused on making ends meet, enrolling a child in art classes or buying art supplies feels out of reach. Many parents confessed that they had never considered it an option, assuming it would cost too much.
Our solution? Every session and material is entirely free. We’re providing the paintbrushes, canvases, and clay—even transport to cultural sites. Families will never have to worry about hidden costs.
2. No Room to Create
Overcrowding is another very real issue. It’s not easy to encourage your child to pursue painting when there’s no space in the home to dry a canvas or when the kitchen table is the only surface for meals, homework, and everything else.
That’s why we’re setting up workshops in local schools and community centres, with spacious, inspiring rooms where young people and women can spread out and create freely. This will be their first experience in a dedicated, studio-style space for many.
3. Cultural Misconceptions
For some families, there’s uncertainty about whether certain forms of art, especially depictions of people or animals, are appropriate within their faith. Others see art as a “hobby” rather than a pathway to education or employment.
We’re addressing this through dialogue and education. From abstract painting and calligraphy to sculpture of non-living forms, there’s room for creative expression within cultural and religious boundaries. We’ll also bring in role models from similar backgrounds — professional artists, designers, teachers — who have built fulfilling creative careers, to show that art and ambition can go hand in hand.
Stories That Speak Volumes
So far, some of the most touching moments have come from conversations with local families. Here’s what we heard:
“I’ve been drawing on scrap paper since I was 6, but I never had anywhere to learn more. I dream of painting on a real canvas one day.” – Samira, 14
“Back in Bangladesh, I loved drawing alpana on the floor during festivals. After moving here, life got busy and I left art behind. Now in my 40s, I finally want to pick up the brush again.” – Farida, 42
These stories remind us: the desire to create has always been there. The opportunities have not.
What Participants Will Do
For the year, participants will:
-
Attend painting and sculpture workshops led by professional instructors
-
Visit galleries and museums, including Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and others across the Midlands
-
Hear from creative professionals about careers in art, design, and digital media
-
Share their work at public exhibitions, culminating in a final, celebratory showcase in a respected local venue
We’ll hold “open studio” events yearly so families can track progress, celebrate growth, and build confidence. And the exhibition? It’s not just about showing art — it’s about showing the world what’s been missing from the local cultural narrative.
Why It Matters
It Builds Confidence and Purpose
For many young participants, this will be their first time being seen — their first time realising their talent matters. It’s a chance for women to reclaim creative energy they may have long set aside.
It Offers a Safe, Positive Alternative
Art offers an emotional outlet and a meaningful activity that positively engages young people. As one father said, “I’d much rather my son spend a Saturday afternoon in an art class than hanging around the streets.”
It Nurtures Future Careers
We’re planting seeds. Some participants may go on to study art, architecture, design, or even teach the next generation. Others may not pursue art professionally, but they’ll carry the skills of creativity, focus, and self-expression wherever life takes them.
It Builds Pride, Visibility, and Representation
When a Bangladeshi teenager sees their painting on a gallery wall, it sends a message to everyone: We belong here. Visibility matters—not just for the artist but for the whole community.
Looking to the Future
This is just the beginning. We see this project as a pilot — a model that can grow and inspire similar programs across Northamptonshire and beyond. We envision a future where Bangladeshi and BAME communities are not just audiences but active contributors to the region’s cultural life.
And the legacy? Perhaps one day, a young artist nurtured by this project will go on to teach, inspire, or even lead their creative movement. Maybe we’ll walk into a local library and see their painting hanging proudly. Or maybe it will simply be a mother and daughter painting together at home, where once there was silence.
That’s the power of art. And that’s the legacy we’re building — one canvas, one sculpture, one story at a time.
