Shieldfield Art Works

Who we are

We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways. Since 2010, we have worked with experienced artists as well as invited people to make art alongside us, in order to seek truth, challenge injustice and operate for the common good.

We are particularly committed to our area of Newcastle, Shieldfield, just east of the city centre. We devise and commission art projects that tell Shieldfield’s story, and consider how stories from our local area relate to life outside of Shieldfield. We are interested in the micro to the macro - art that speaks truths about the human condition, to art which speaks to the condition of our planet, and everything in between. 

Our culture and values

Hospitality – We seek to make our space and activities open to all; we believe in offering sincere and abundant welcome to all people, particularly those who may not have experienced such a welcome in an arts and/or faith setting before. We give space for conversations, different perspectives and encounters covering all aspects of life.

Art & Enquiry – We use art as a way to enquire about life, believing that art has a unique ability to communicate lived experience and imagine new futures. We believe that access to art and making opportunities support good mental health, understanding that art is powerful – it can function as a tool for activism, provide moments of awe and encounters with beauty, increase understanding and empathy.

Community Activism – Through the use of art and enquiry, we seek positive change for the welfare of the city, its community and individual inhabitants. We are particularly interested in collaborating locally to enable flourishing in our area of Shieldfield, in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Rest & Rhythm – As we work to live out these values, we also try to maintain a rhythm of care and rest for others and ourselves. We do this to enable us to focus on actions of quality and empathy, rather than actions of mass production, and to enable ourselves and our collaborators to live life to the fullest. We embrace the fact this will sometimes limit our productivity.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is fully committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity and the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination, valuing and embracing diversity and ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach in all fields of its activity.

SAW adheres to The Equality Act 2010 which recognises the following specific protected characteristics: sex, gender reassignment, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership and pregnancy & maternity. It will not discriminate because of any other irrelevant factors and will build a culture that values all people, of all faiths and none, as bearing the image of God.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is central to the mission of the Methodist Church.