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Looking at Life is a new exhibition, funded by Arts Council England, showcasing artwork by care experienced people serving prison sentences.
The exhibition will go on show at venues in Manchester, Darlington, Sheffield and Sunderland during 2026 and 2027.
The work has all been made as part of the Creative Aid project, which is delivered in partnership by Blue Cabin and Nepacs. Professional artists have worked with a different cohort of care experienced people in HMP / YOI Deerbolt every year since 2023, exploring a wide range of artforms.
All the Creative Aid participants are aged between 18 and 25 and are care experienced.
Looking at Life is curated by the artists working in partnership with Blue Cabin associate artist, Nic Golightly.
Looking at Life: 14 – 23 October 2026
The Horsfall, 42nd Street, The Space, 87-91 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AG
Free entry
Public workshop: Monday 19 October, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Looking at Life will go on show for the first time in the UK at The Horsfall in Manchester.
There will be a public workshop on Monday 19 October where you can explore the works on show with author and prison educator Andy West (Author of The Life Inside – recently adapted for a BBC Series, Waiting for the Out) and philosopher Dr Grace Lockrobin (Co-Director of Thoughtful).
Looking at Life will tour to the following venues:
The Creative Aid touring exhibition is supported by a project grant from Arts Council England. The Creative Aid project is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive. During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.
The public events with Thoughtful are supported by funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Funding the wraparound package of support for care experienced young men, delivered by Nepacs specialists located within the prison, is the Swire Charitable Trust.
