Portraits of Recovery

Who we are

Portraits of Recovery (PORe) is a contemporary visual arts charity rooted in lived experience of substance use and recovery.

We work with artists, communities and cultural institutions to create ambitious exhibitions, commissions and public programmes that challenge stigma and open up different ways of understanding recovery.

Our work advances Recoverism: an inclusive social and cultural movement that recognises people in recovery as artists, cultural contributors and agents of change. We believe lived experience brings valuable knowledge and perspectives to contemporary art and society.

Working across communities, galleries and public spaces, we create opportunities for people to shape how their experiences are represented and contribute to cultural life.

Our culture and values

We are a small team with an informal, collaborative way of working. We care about our work and how we treat one another.

We value curiosity, kindness, sound judgement and a willingness to take responsibility. Everyone should feel able to ask questions, contribute ideas and raise concerns. We welcome constructive challenge and recognise that different experiences help us make better decisions.

Our work is ambitious, and we take its practical demands seriously. We support one another, share knowledge and look for workable solutions. We appreciate colleagues who listen, follow things through and bring care to both everyday tasks and working relationships.

You do not need an arts background or personal experience of recovery to contribute to PORe. An interest in our purpose, respect for others and openness to learning matter.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Challenging stigma and exclusion is central to PORe’s purpose. We recognise that people affected by substance use and recovery can face barriers to employment, cultural participation and having their experiences heard.

We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racist practice across our recruitment, working relationships and artistic programme. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, including people with lived experience of recovery and people underrepresented in the arts and charity sectors.

We value relevant skills and experience gained through different routes. We aim to make recruitment accessible and assess applicants fairly against the requirements of each role. Applicants can request reasonable adjustments and discuss any access needs with us.

We expect everyone working with PORe to treat others with dignity and respect. Discrimination, harassment and exclusion have no place in our organisation.