Look Groups A project initiated by Tate St Ives

Tate’s purpose is to champion the right to art for everyone and its vision sees this access to art as a universal human right – Look Groups are an example of this work in action.

The Look Group project launched in October 2009, initially through a partnership by Tate St Ives and Cornwall Council, funded until April 2010 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) under the Learning Innovation Transformation Fund. The goal was to initiate a sustainable network of Look Groups across the county of Cornwall, getting communities to come together and talk about art, sharing their own opinions and ideas. The Look Group network was a successful pilot initiative and succeeded in building a knowledgeable and supportive audience-base throughout Cornwall. Following the success of the pilot, Look Groups were awarded funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Tate St Ives Legacy Project. From 2012 to 2017, the NLHF funding supported the expansion of the number of groups, helping the Look Group project to reach twenty-five different communities. The funding also supported Look Groups to collaborate with Tate St Ives on creating exhibition resources and small displays which they have continued to do since this time. In 2022, Tate allocated Covid recovery funding, received from the Clore Duffield Foundation, to support Look Groups to re-establish face to face activity and reconnect with their communities.

Cornwall Look Groups go from strength to strength, they adapted to meeting online during the Covid-19 pandemic and developed an online community to talk about art when it wasn’t always possible to meet in person. This creates a space to share ideas and carry-on discussions with a wider network of individuals and groups beyond Cornwall. For further information on joining the online discussion click here.

In 2023 there have been eight known self-organised Look Groups operating in communities throughout Cornwall, totalling approximately 150 members with ages ranging from 30 to 90. Some have been members since the group’s inception, but the groups also evolve and attract new members each year, including through social prescribing referrals. Meetings can include 6 to 60 people, there is no limit on group size. For more information about what a Look Group is and how to join or start a Look Group in your area please click here.

2023 also saw the launch of Look Groups in mental health hospitals, in partnership with Hospital Rooms and Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust. Over twenty hospital staff have been supported by Tate to gain confidence and develop skills in looking and talking about art. They are now establishing Look Groups on wards at Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital, and Bodmin Community Hospital, exploring the role of art in recovery.

Look Groups really can happen anywhere. Resources are available to support communities in Cornwall and around the world to start their own Look Groups.

If you’re starting a Look Group, wherever you are, please do get in touch at lookgroups@tate.org.uk.