Devonshire Collective

Learning Learning and participation for all ages is central to our work. Our programmes are free, artist-led, inclusive, and open-access. We believe regular activity is important, so our programmes are structured weekly or monthly and require no particular experience or skills to attend. In 2023/24, we engaged 1,800 children and young people locally in our Learning programme.

We run a range of free family and community workshops at our gallery VOLT and DC Learn Studio as well as regular activities for people of all ages and all walks of life. Visit our What’s On page to take a look.

We aim to respond to gaps in cultural provision for our local community, and therefore currently focus on early years, children, teachers and the most marginalised communities in the ward, in particular, refugees and asylum seekers. DC is one of only two Arts Award Centres in Eastbourne. Our courses are aimed at the Sussex Home Educator community, and provide tie-ins to the national curriculum.

DC Learn programming currently comprises:

'Sticky Fingers', a free weekly sensory art and play for 0-4s and their carers from low-income backgrounds in the Devonshire ward.
'Networx Creative Club', a safe space for refugee children aged 5-11 with complex needs to create and express themselves.
‘Networx Teens Youth Club’, a space for teenagers from refugee backgrounds to meet and create together.
Courses and Arts Awards at various levels for Home Educated and SEND 6-16 year olds unable to access mainstream education.
'Devonshire Youth Collective', a free open-access embedded creative programme for young people 16-25 experiencing housing insecurity and racism.

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Contact Gina Leonard to enquire or make a booking.

Volunteering and Work Experience

_{We are dedicated to providing equitable access to opportunities within Devonshire Collective’s programming. This includes prioritising paid roles and remunerated opportunities over unpaid engagements, ensuring all artists, regardless of background, can engage meaningfully with our work.

While we occasionally work with volunteers for specific roles, we understand that volunteering is not accessible to all. We aim to offer paid positions where possible and focus on providing professional development and meaningful work experiences.

Volunteers are not placed in roles that are essential to our core operations, ensuring they do not replace paid opportunities.}