At ARTHOUSE Unlimited, the focus has always been on people first. Founder and CEO Becky Sheraidah talks about building a supportive creative community, the partnerships that make it possible, and why the work still matters just as much twenty years on.
What does being the founder and CEO of ARTHOUSE Unlimited involve?
My role centres on working with the team to protect the vision of the charity, ensuring the artists feel included, valued, purposeful, respected, and can grow with pride and enhanced emotional wellbeing within the collaborative celebratory culture. Everything the charity does offers safeguarding and joy to the artists, and in turn we offer joy to the audience. Leadership also means growing sustainably. Sales, partnerships, and visibility allow the charity to continue offering life-enhancing opportunities while sharing the message of inclusion more widely. My focus is on the market offering and deeper message of encouraging social inclusion on a wider scale.
ARTHOUSE Unlimited has built distinctive collaborations with brands and cultural organisations. What do you look for in a successful partnership?
Most collaborations start with organisations discovering the work first. Respect for each person’s contribution is essential. We look for partners who share values, like Lucy and Yak, Lush, Oxfam, who are genuinely interested in people, inclusion, and positive impact. We love to work with great designers and people who really cherish the artists’ work.
Where do you see ARTHOUSE Unlimited growing over the next few years?
It has taken twenty years to build a sustainable model where collaborative art and commerce support each other. The sales of the artwork nearly sustain the charity and allow us to deliver consistent opportunities. The next stage focuses on expanding collaboration, more talks, and educational publications (like this, thank you very much) to create awareness so people can use the ARTHOUSE model as a learning example for wider inclusion. We want to share what works and help others understand how collaboration supports wellbeing, confidence, and purpose. Growth means protecting that model while reaching new audiences and markets so the charity stays strong and sustainable for the future. Sales and funding are continuously essential. We want to ensure the artists have at least another 20 years to access the lifelong, life-changing service.
Are there particular projects or collaborations you are especially excited about?
A: We are excited to be creating a cartoon with an incredible cartoonist and production company, working collaboratively together, celebrating everyone’s combined talents. It will showcase the artists’ ideas and drawing skills on a new platform, reach a new audience, and is generally an amazing piece of work.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments during your time at ARTHOUSE Unlimited?
Everyday we see something beautiful created in the studio. The most rewarding part has been seeing how the impact continues to grow over time. Some of the artists we started working with twenty years ago still access the service today. Each person has grown in confidence and started to feel recognised and respected. When I first met the artists, there wasn’t anyone who was recognised, seen, or valued for their skills in the wider community or society. Watching that change over the years is deeply meaningful. We see so much pride beam from each person and their family. The reward also comes from the wider ripple effect. A parent seeing their son or daughter’s artwork on a product in a shop across the country. A volunteer feeling proud to contribute. A customer walking into the shop and feeling emotionally connected to the story behind the work. Those moments are what impact change. Laura selling her work in the shop, Pete having a solo show, the artists seeing their work on sale in Boots, Simon seeing his work in the Royal Academy Summer Show. Amazing moments, too many to list.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given professionally or personally?
From Dr Chair of Trustees, Colin Stokes MBE, former chair of the trustees who we sadly recently lost. His focus was simple: look after people, look after everyone. He did just that everywhere he went. Artists, staff, volunteers, or partners — the charity works best when people feel valued and supported at every level. On a personal level, I have learned the importance of leaving ego aside. The focus must stay on the artists and the purpose of the organisation. When you keep people and purpose at the centre, everything else follows more clearly.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
All the fun things. I am very social, love being with friends and family, meditation too. Beach walks with the dog, painting. Best thing at the moment is watching my daughter perform as a singer songwriter, love that
