History

Intoarts' first project in 2001 was conceived through participation in the Certificate in Professional Practice in Youth Arts Development (CIPPIYAD) course run by WAC Performing Arts College and the Midi Music Company and accredited by Goldsmiths College, University of London. Intoart was influenced by the courses focus on establishing partnerships between artists and youth and community organisations that directly respond to the need and benefit of all those involved in the project. Emphasis was placed on the importance of the partnership being established at the projects inception and with equality of investment in the shared vision and ethos. Intoart continues to value its partnerships with community organisations and has applied this approach to working with galleries and arts venues.

In 2006 Intoart responded to people, taking part in Intoart projects, who said they wanted their own studio and to make art all the time. This led to the setting up of The Studio Project at Studio Voltaire in South London where we continue to run a studio. The Studio Project book published in 2007 documents the process of setting up the studio.

‘In the studio I develop work, I experience the artwork that other people do and I put my artwork on the wall to look at the artwork.’
Ntiense Eno-Amooquaye.

In 2009 Intoart Exhibited at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition, "Intoart: See The Revolutionary Art Exhibit," was an opportunity to show work made in the Intoart Studio in a gallery presenting an international programme of contemporary and 20th century art and to talk about Intoart's work in a series of events and workshops held at the gallery. Their book "intoart: See The Revolutionary Art Exhibit," published in 2010 documents the exhibition and the conversations that took place in the studio and in the gallery.

Intoart continue to present work in galleries and were invited to take part in No Soul For Sale at Tate Modern in May 2010. In 2011 they were invited to exhibit at MADmusée in Belgium and Doreen McPherson had her first solo exhibition at Studio Voltaire London. From April 2012 Intoart will be funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.