Bringing people together through the power of art

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine we meet the founders of Artcore – a charity which encourages, supports and showcases artistic talent.

We discover how the positivity and entrepreneurial spirit of Zahir and Ruchita Shaikh shaped the organisation, which now runs a city centre gallery, artists’ studios, a café and shop selling work produced by the creatives they engage with.

Artcore has become a vibrant cultural centre, hosting exhibitions by local, national and international artists.

It nurtures talent and is helping artists make money from their work.

And it also reaches out to the public, providing workshops where people can come together, express their creativity, develop new skills and enjoy the wellbeing benefits which art can promote.

Ruchita told Innovate: “Art is able to transcend all barriers and boundaries and there are so many examples where Artcore’s work is having a positive impact on people’s lives.”

Artcore can trace its roots back to Vadodara, in Gujarat, India, and 1995 when recent graduate Zahir and a group of friends decided to set up a gallery to support artists from the area.

But Artcore’s journey – and its eventual arrival in Derby was far from straightforward, as Innovate finds out.

Artcore was launched in 2009, with the couple running pottery workshops from the dining room of their home as a first step towards a grander vision.

Zahir, who acts as Artcore’s artistic and executive director, and Ruchita, its chief executive, are passionate about the idea of ‘democratising art’ and ensuring it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

They believe art is a powerful force for bringing communities together and helping people improve their quality of life.

Ruchita told Innovate: “We have been able to make it more accessible, so, if there are economical barriers, if people cannot afford to pay, we offer free activities at our community hub.

“It transcends language barriers. You don’t have to speak the same language as another person – art can be a way of expression. And art is hugely therapeutic. It’s nonjudgmental.

“It gives people space and time. It can help them make friends, have conversations, express themselves and, as a result, live heathier lives.”

Challenges to public funding mean that many arts organisations are suffering currently and Artcore is not immune – although its drive to generate its own commercial revenues has helped mitigate some of the impacts.

Zahir told Innovate: “Like other organisations, we face challenges, but, simultaneously, we work towards overcoming those challenges,

“It is not an easy time for arts and culture in the country. But that’s when you need to think creatively and beyond the norm and that’s what we continue to try to do.”

To read the feature in full, click here.