HvH ARTS Mission

Our reason for existing is predicated on the link between child poverty and access to the arts and culture.

• Camden has a high level of need with some of the most deprived wards in the country.
• 8,030 children and young people within the Camden borough were eligible for benefit- related free school meals in 2024.
• A 2017 report by London Councils showed that 70% of London schools experienced budget cuts in the previous two years. Decreased school funding has the tendency to hurt arts departments first. This often results in school arts programmes becoming completely non-existent, resulting in dwindling accessibility to arts and opportunities for creative expression.

HvH ARTS core mission is aligned with the UN Convention of The Rights of a Child, specifically Article 31 states:

“Member governments shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.”

“There has been a long-term dismantling of the infrastructure that supports young people to access and benefit from arts and culture, and the most marginalised children and young people have been bearing the brunt of
this decline.”
Sally Bacon, Co-Chair, Cultural Learning Alliance

HvH ARTS is a registered charity inspiring the next generation of young people by offering them a gateway to the arts. Young people need positive outlets for their energy. HvH ARTS provides and nurtures that outlet with the following core aims:

• Delivering free after-school clubs in various arts and media subjects at primary and secondary schools in England.

• Delivering free out-of-school classes in various arts and media subjects.

• Providing materials to our scholars and beneficiaries for use in the study of the arts.

• Providing primary and secondary state schools in England with arts-related materials and funds for out-of-school trips and excursions.

• Developing out-of-school excursions and trips to events centred on the arts, including visits to art galleries, the theatre, exhibitions and places of artistic interest.

• Supporting vulnerable children and young people at risk with THE MUSIC MENTORING PROJECT.

“My reason for starting the charity was to give the gift of art through inspiring young people. I wanted them to have the skills and tools to develop lifelong artistic passions and to be able to express themselves and gain confidence in all areas of their lives. As a photographer, I knew from personal experience the transformational effect of having a medium that I can express myself through – I wanted children to feel this magic too.”

Debbi Clark, CEO and Founder

The late Sir Hubert von Herkomer is the inspiration behind the Foundation.

Hubert von Herkomer (1849-1914) was a distinguished painter, playwright, actor, composer and film director. His work left its impression on many, from Charles Dickens to Queen Victoria, who honoured him with a knighthood. Vincent van Gogh acknowledged him as an inspiration.

In 1883, Sir Hubert founded and funded the von Herkomer Art school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where he served as principal. Sir Hubert held revolutionary ideas about how to teach art. Above all, he encouraged students to ignore convention and to develop their own individual talents as artists.

Sir Hubert believed that every individual should have the chance to pick up a paint brush, play an instrument or perform on stage. Through his status and personal wealth he continually sought to help the disadvantaged by providing them with a gateway to the arts.

In 2011 Mark von Herkomer (Sir Hubert’s great grandson) and Debbi Clark (renowned fashion and editorial photographer) set out to create a charitable vehicle that celebrated the spirit of Sir Hubert by offering young people an entry point into the arts. A plan evolved, with ‘after school arts courses’ at its heart. A fund-raising strategy was devised, arts professionals recruited, and a board of trustees appointed. HVH Arts was born.

In 2012 HVH Arts became a registered charity (no: 1149607) and since then we have successfully supported thousands of children and run many diverse, free after school and holiday courses, held over ten annual exhibitions showcasing our young people’s work, had an array of wonderful ambassadors give time to the charity and, in 2015, the incredible Helen McCrory became our patron.

We continue to strive forward to provide as many children in the UK as possible with a gateway to the arts.

Sir Hubert was a pioneer of the social realism movement. His paintings reflected the full spectrum of society, from the wealthy and glamorous to the down and out.