We work with local communities to support wellbeing, skill development and creativity.
The Community Programme is open to community groups and organisations based in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham. Eligible groups can book a variety of free activities, including:
- Artist-led creative workshops which respond to the exhibition
- Talking Pictures Tours which explore themes between our collections and exhibitions
- Sculpture Tours in which participants discover the art and nature across our gardens and grounds
- Community Exclusive Views where you can enjoy a relaxed visit to our exhibition, take part in creative workshops and more
To get involved, find out more or to be added to our Community mailing list, please contact the team via learning@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Our community work
Access tours
We offer a range of accessible tours throughout the year.
Dementia Friendly Creative Conversations
These sessions invite you to take notice, be curious and discuss.
Guided by a Dementia Friendly guide, we invite you to take a closer look at our Collection or the temporary exhibition, and share your opinions, stories and impressions.
All participants receive free entry to the Gallery and exhibition following the talk.
Picture Description Tours
Our Picture Description talks are designed for our blind and visually impaired visitors. They are delivered by our trained guides and learning team with each talk focusing on one painting from the Collection. Our trained guides provide an audio description of the painting, followed by a group discussion on the painting's themes.
All participants will receive free entry to the Gallery and exhibition following the talk.
British Sign Language Tours
Our British Sign Language (BSL) Tours provide introductions to the exhibition programme and are led by BSL speaking hosts.
The tours are for Deaf and hard of hearing British Sign Language users and are delivered in BSL (they do not include a voice over).
All tours include free entry to the Gallery and exhibition after the tour.
ArtPlay Pavilion
Community groups and organisations working with families based in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham are able to access the ArtPlay Pavilion for free on Tuesdays.
Community Welcome Pass
The Community Welcome Pass Group Scheme is open to Community Organisations based in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham. Each pass provides free access to the Gallery for your group, volunteers, staff and service users.
The Community Welcome Pass Individual Scheme is open to individuals from Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham who are participants of our Tessa Jowell Heath Centre project, or who have attended our Networked training or our Past for the Present project.
Community Pass FAQs
Each Community Welcome Pass is allocated to one named group leader per community organisation. The pass is designed to allow the group leader plus up to 10 guests free entry to the Gallery collection and exhibition.
If you are bringing 5 or more guests you will need to book a group visit in advance using your card by contacting reception@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk or 020 0693 5254. We advise you to book at least 2 weeks in advance of your visit. Please note we are unable to accommodate group visits using community welcome passes during the first and final two weeks of an exhibition.
If you are bringing less than 5 guests you can usually visit the gallery without pre booking. When you arrive please show your community welcome pass to the team at the welcome desk. Please note that during busy periods you may be asked to wait until the next available timeslot.
You must show your card on arrival at the welcome desk. You must show your card on arrival at the welcome desk. You and your group will not be able to enter the Gallery without your Community Welcome Pass.
Group tours are not included as part of your Community Welcome Pass. These are charged and can be booked online or emailing groupbookings@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Information about Accessible tours can be found in the section above.
Please get in touch with the Programme and Engagement Team if you have any further questions via learning@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Creative Health
Our Creative Health programmes foster connection and creativity to support wellbeing and address health inequality in our community. We work with individuals and organisations in our local boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham for better health outcomes for all.
Creative Mondays at Tessa Jowell Health Centre
Join us on Mondays for free workshops to explore different art forms to feel active, mindful and find release. Workshops are relaxed with opportunities to meet new people and take away creative tools for wellbeing. The activities are adjusted to accommodate all participants’ experience and access needs and all the materials you’ll need are provided.
Find the latest programme here.
Creative Monday FAQs
The sessions are open to people living and working in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham who are referred via a GP, social prescriber or through one of our community health partners. We are also able to take self-referrals from service users of the Tessa Jowell Health Centre.
No, all sessions are free for those who have been referred.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the programme or how to get involved by emailing creativityandwellbeing@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk.
Arts and Health Training for Link Workers
Join us for a free creative and informative session for linkworkers and health navigators to build an understanding and awareness of the ways in which creativity can support health and wellbeing. This training session exploring the social prescribing of arts and culture has been developed in partnership with Performing Medicine
If you are a link worker, social prescriber or GP in Southwark, Lambeth or Lewisham we are also happy to come to present the programme to your team or to run a small taster workshop.
Get in touch with us to join our mailing list and receive updates about the programme and upcoming training opportunities.
For questions and referrals, please contact: creativityandwellbeing@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
