Upskilling for a mural and Lettering Artist

A continuous Professional Development Project funded by Arts Council England through a Developing your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant. September 2024 - August 2026.

It is October 2026 and I’m writing after completing my Developing Your Creative Practice Project (and the end of the outdoor mural painting season).

This project has made a made a major impact on my practice from gaining full qualifications for working at heights to developing my lettering design & mural painting skills, and learning how to cast placemaking plaques. But one of the largest impacts is the structural change of beginning to work through a community interest company. I co-founded People Place Public Art CIC in July 2025 following free support for non-profit businesses from CNT Associates and Royal Borough of Greenwich that I learned about at a business networking event that was part of my DYCP project. It allows me to take on a balance of commercial projects and externally funded projects with community benefit which are free of charge to participants, helping to increase the sustainability of the business. This has led to a shift to more socially engaged placemaking projects with emphasis on consultation with communities, co-design, co-creation and celebration of new artwork. We aim to empower people to create, build connection between people and place, and bring vibrancy to shared public spaces.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll add more photos and details of the project. If you are an artist considering your own DYCP project, I’d highly recommend this as a way of bringing about a positive step change in your own practice. I’m happy to talk with you- Please email Ellen@PeoplePlacePublicArt.co.uk