Holding Space brings art therapy into civic, arts and cultural spaces connected to creativity, community and everyday life.

The therapeutic relationship remains at the heart of the work. The setting does not replace that relationship, but it can influence how therapy is encountered and experienced.

Why these spaces matter

Therapy does not always need to take place in a traditional clinical environment. Museums, galleries, arts centres and other civic spaces can offer a different way of encountering therapeutic support.

These are places where people may already come to create, learn, reflect and connect. Offering art therapy within them can make therapeutic support more visible, approachable and connected to the communities they serve.

Each setting has its own identity and relationship with its community. Holding Space works thoughtfully within the character of the space, while ensuring that therapy remains private, contained and professionally held.

Holding Space at Manchester Museum

Holding Space currently offers art therapy at Manchester Museum, where Kirsty is a Top Floor partner.

The museum’s commitment to care, belonging, social justice and Culture, Health and Wellbeing makes it a meaningful setting for this work. People enter as members of the public rather than as patients, within a place associated with creativity, curiosity and connection.

This partnership demonstrates how art therapy can sit meaningfully within a civic and cultural setting.

Working with Holding Space

Holding Space welcomes conversations with civic, arts and cultural organisations interested in exploring this approach within their setting.

Interested?
Please get in touch to discuss what might work for your organisation. Together we can design a rhythm of support that suits your organisation’s needs.