Arty Pants

Before their paths crossed in 2007, Faith had been a fraud manager for an insurance company but was made redundant and Jo was in the process of returning to teaching primary school children after completing a refresher course.

 Arty Pants provides art and craft-based workshops for youngsters and adults across Merseyside.  A variety of genres are covered including photography, murals, textiles, jewellery making and ceramics. 

The idea for the venture began to blossom in November 08 and by March 09 they had secured their first job at a school in Crosby.  Originally the workshops were aimed at two to 16 year olds and the sessions were held as before and after school clubs as well as during lesson times.

A Stepclever grant worth £10,000 was awarded in April and this went towards paying rent, wages, refurbishing the infant area at their headquarters in Bootle, buying office equipment and all the essential art equipment and supplies such as paper, scissors, glue and paints.

Twelve months after it was set up, the business, and its audience, has grown. 

There has been huge demand for workshops and now Arty Pants can be found sharing their artistic expertise in neighbourhood projects and private events.  Recently, the team has started to deliver sessions in a community centre to ladies who are making their own Christmas decorations.

Faith said: “We couldn’t have done this without help from Stepclever.  They have been brilliant throughout the whole process and helped us right from the beginning when we started this process.

“The funding was essential and as a result has helped us reach hundreds of people and get them involved in a fun and useful activity.

“We’ve also been able to help local artists, giving them the vital work experience they need to help then make a career in the art industry.”

For more information about Arty Pants call 0151 922 2777.