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darts create art with people in Doncaster to improve life, learning and health, and have been doing so for almost 35 years.
The charity makes high-quality, inclusive, creative experiences across the borough of Doncaster, collaborating with partners worldwide. 'darts’ programmes are open to everyone, particularly those who have the least access to the arts.
darts has an experienced team of artists, creative professionals and support staff making high-quality, inclusive, creative experiences across the City and borough of Doncaster.
The charity develops creative approaches that respond to place-based health and learning inequalities, building robust evidence of impact before scaling or embedding these approaches to increase access. darts has been designing and delivering creative programmes for 35 years – the charity’s specialism is Doncaster, and the majority of work is created with, and for, Doncaster residents.
The Point is darts’ home and is a Centre of Excellence for Creative Health and Learning. Each year, the charity welcomes fifty thousand visitors to take part in its participatory arts programmes, and engage with the arts, culture, health, and education programmes that darts’ partners run in their building.
It’s been a busy year at The Point as darts secured over half a million pounds worth of funding from Arts Council England, City of Doncaster Council and the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme (Central Government) for phase one of a capital programme that moves them very close to their stellar ambition of becoming Net Zero by 2030.
The Point is critical to darts’ mission. 30% of its programmes are delivered there and, crucially, the building gives darts a high-quality, purpose designed centre to test new activity, develop their method, and train and support their artist and programme team.
As a Doncaster anchor organisation responding directly to the needs of residents, and as one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, darts take its role very seriously and is conscious of its responsibility to advocate and to share best practice for environmental responsibility.
Doncaster is the largest metropolitan borough in the UK, a region of diverse urban and rural communities, and significant socio-economic challenges: Doncaster has the third worst deprivation levels in Yorkshire & Humber and is one of the 20% most deprived authorities in England. These challenges are getting more serious: in the last five years Doncaster’s relative deprivation has worsened from 48th to 41st of the 317 local authority areas.
Ensuring The Point remains a viable, sustainable resource in the face of climate heating and increasing fuel costs is an important practical goal. This capital programme will resolve the issues around The Point being hard to heat and hard to cool, meaning that their rooms will no longer be unacceptably cold in winter and overly hot in summer. darts work with older and more vulnerable people, or those with long term health conditions, and need to offer spaces that are safe and comfortable for all.
As all face the reality of global heating and more extreme weather in the UK, this will become an increasing challenge unless darts act now to improve the environmental performance of the building. This project will significantly improve heating and ventilation throughout The Point, ensuring darts can continue supporting people at all stages of their lives, and increase participation in high-quality creative activities in their local community.
And, as multi-year funding comes to an end, darts is actively seeking corporate sponsors to help sustain its 12 core programmes and continue its vital work. Organisations can support in a variety of ways: from sponsoring events, an artist or programme, to fundraising, pro bono support, or cause-related marketing.
darts will be relaunching The Point at a special event on 28 November 2025. The charity will be showing off its incredible selection of newly decorated rooms that will be flexible and practical for meetings, creative workshops, events, conferences and much more. Staff and trustees will also be sharing more about darts’ work and the impact it has on the lives of Doncaster residents. MagNorth is excited to be attending!
If you’re reading this as an organisation wanting to make a real difference now, get in touch with Grace at darts about sponsoring darts ahead of their special relaunch event. With the region’s decision and change makers, and arts and cultural community, all under one decarbonised roof – this is not one to miss.
Contact grace@wearedarts.org.uk | 01302 493995
