ArtWorks Together
We’re thrilled to be spotlighting ArtWorks Together as they launch their 2026 International Exhibition, running from 24 January - 31 May 2026 at Millennium Gallery, Sheffield.
Established by ArtWorks South Yorkshire, ArtWorks Together is an international festival, offering adult artists who have a learning disability, are autistic or both, the opportunity to showcase their talents to the entire world, gaining the recognition they deserve.
ArtWorks Together International Exhibition, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield, 24 January - 31 May 2026 (Tues-Sat 10-5pm / Sun 11-4pm). Free.
We chatted to Gemma Wofinden from ArtWorks Together about the organisation, why it was formed and how people can get involved. Keep reading to learn more…
“Our vision is a future in which artists who have autism and/or learning disabilities are genuinely involved and integral, flourishing and being understood, their needs accepted and adopted, and their work recognised for its creative value and cultural contribution just like any other artist.”
Please tell us a little bit more about your Yorkshire and Humber-based network/organisation, who it supports and why it was established.
ArtWorks Together International Festival is produced biannually by ArtWorks South Yorkshire, a not-for-profit creative organisation that aims to inspire and support people with learning disabilities and who have autism through creative opportunities. We run four community art studios in Barnsley, Sheffield and Rotherham supporting around 110 artists to develop their practice, collaborate on creative projects and get involved in community initiatives. ArtWorks Together International Festival has grown from this in recognition of the need for more inclusion in the arts.
“ArtWorks Together Festival is committed to raising the profile of artists who remain significantly underrepresented within the visual arts sector.”
What can we expect at the Artworks Together International Exhibition 2026?
The exhibition brings together a vibrant and ambitious collection of contemporary work that celebrates colour, innovation and artistic excellence. Across painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, film and more, the artworks explore urgent social, political, environmental and cultural themes, while offering nuanced perspectives that challenge narrow assumptions about who artists are and whose voices are valued. Featuring artists from South Yorkshire to South Asia, North Yorkshire to North America and beyond, the exhibition highlights the breadth and depth of artistic practice by artists who have a learning disability and autistic artists working internationally today.
ArtWorks Together Festival is committed to raising the profile of artists who remain significantly underrepresented within the visual arts sector. Through this exhibition, we invite audiences to engage deeply with the work, reflect on their responses, and join us in advocating for a more equitable and inclusive arts landscape.
“Our partnership with Yorkshire Art Space (YAS) has been invaluable. YAS have mentored the ArtWorks artists with the aim of them leading public workshops later this year at Millennium Gallery. Additionally, the support of DocFest and Millennium Gallery has resulted in an exhibition that is right at the heart of the city’s visual arts offer and ready to engage a large audience - and literally brings the world to Sheffield.”
How does being a part of a community of artists/art workers impact you and your own work?
We're lucky to be part of such a progressive community of artists and art workers who want to support under-represented artists like those exhibiting work at ArtWorks Together International Exhibition and are helping to champion a more inclusive sector as a whole.
Being part of the regional visual arts community brings strength, courage and support; for example producing ArtWorks Together International Festival as the first of its kind in the North of England has not been without its challenges but the sector has been very supportive and that makes a big difference.
In particular our partnership with Yorkshire Art Space has been invaluable. YAS have mentored the ArtWorks artists with the aim of them leading public workshops later this year at Millennium Gallery. Additionally, the support of DocFest and Millennium Gallery has resulted in an exhibition that is right at the heart of the city's visual arts offer and ready to engage a large audience - and literally brings the world to Sheffield. That support has been incredible and will be life-changing for some of the artists involved, some of whom haven't exhibited before. We're hoping to connect the exhibition artists with local and regional artists/workers through the launch and through the digital engagement. We see this year's exhibition as the start of more international connections to enrich the local visual arts community by opening doors to emerging artists with learning disabilities and /or who are autistic from near and far.
What changes would you like to see within the wider visual arts sector in the UK?
Our vision is a future in which artists who have autism and/or learning disabilities are genuinely involved and integral, flourishing and being understood, their needs accepted and adopted, and their work recognised for its creative value and cultural contribution just like any other artist. In order to get there, we'd like to work with more organisations to share best practice, to learn from the artists we support, and to create more opportunities.
Artwork to the left credit: Debs with the Yellow Hair, Relief sculpture (card, quilling): Debra Roberts, England -featured in their 2026 exhibition.
If someone were interested in getting involved or joining your community/festival, what would you recommend they do?
Come to the ArtWorks Together International Exhibition, check out the new installation at Sheffield Train Station, get involved in a workshop - and let us know how we can help you engage and connect. The best place to start is on our website or via our social media (links below). And if you're local to Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield and would like to get involved in our regular activities and creative day service their, as a participant or volunteer - please get in touch via artworkstogether2026@gmail.com
Artwork credit to the right: Ripping Off Acrylic paint on canvas Emma Evans England, featured in their 2026 exhibition.
If someone were interested in getting involved or joining your community/festival, what would you recommend they do?
Come to the ArtWorks Together International Exhibition, check out the new installation at Sheffield Train Station, get involved in a workshop - and let us know how we can help you engage and connect.
The best place to start is on our website artworkstogether.co.uk or via our social media (links below). And if you're local to Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield and would like to get involved in our regular activities and creative day service their, as a participant or volunteer - please get in touch via artworkstogether2026@gmail.com
ArtWorks Together International Exhibition, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield, 24 January - 31 May 2026 (Tues-Sat 10-5pm / Sun 11-4pm). Free.
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Huge thanks to Gemma for sharing more about ArtWorks Together and how you can get involved!
Links for ArtWorks Together:
Website www.artworkstogether.co.uk
Instagram www.instagram.com/artworks.together
Facebook www.facebook.com/artworkstogetherexhibition
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/showcase/art-works-together