News & Insights

“This year has felt overwhelming for many, with world conflict & injustice impacting the way people experience the everyday. Odd Arts has tried to provide spaces that challenge, hold safety, and open up discussions that otherwise feel shut down. We have also worked in more prisons than ever, and are proud to have played a role in offering people who are locked up in increasingly challenging prison environments – with the space to connect, create, and hopefully re-build self-worth. Incredibly, in Jan 2024 we reached our 20th year!

This year we have continued to build on the themes that matter so deeply to us: Overcoming hate, discrimination & racism; reducing violence (in its many forms); celebrating unheard stories; and mental health.

We have seen an increased demand for our work and the complexity that can come with it. In the ‘post covid’ era we see increased inequalities, a cost of living crisis and a huge strain on funding across the sector. Thanks to our most dedicated, talented and compassionate staff and freelance team, we have continued to find creative solutions to ensure we maintain the most meaningful and high quality experience for the people we serve.

It’s once again hard to know where to start with summing up the last year for Odd Arts. Like everyone, we had to continue to be flexible & resilient to overcome the ongoing hurdles & unpredictability that the world kept throwing at us. The creative solutions we responded with have enabled us to deliver some of our most innovative & forward thinking practices & projects to date.