Our History
Entelechy Arts was founded in 1989 at the request of the Lewisham and North Southwark Health Authority, to support the resettlement of people with learning disabilities from the old ‘mental handicap’ asylums to communities in South East London.
A key aim of this transition was to enable individuals to become respected and contributing members of their communities. Artists were engaged to support this process, forming the heart of Entelechy Arts’ approach.
Many of our founder members were unable to use conventional forms of communication such as talking and many were traumatised by years of institutional abuse. So our early work focused on music, participatory theatre and dance as a means of communication and exchange.
Nearly four decades later and the practice is still growing. We continue to devise and innovate ways of listening to people whose voices are not heard; we continue to forge meaningful artistic relationships between strangers.
Be a part of our future?
There are many ways you can join in with our projects. Either coming along and participating, volunteering or supporting us through donations.
“I thought I’d finished with life but this is waking me up again. It makes you feel you’re not dead. You’re not worthless. You can do something and still be a part the world”