Make now, think later!

Art venues across England, Scotland and Wales were selected to take part in the Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Awards 2024–25, working with young people and their support networks on four exciting artist commissions. The commissioned artists worked within each organisation to create works that encapsulate the skills, imagination and unique perspectives of young people.

‘Make now, think later!’ prompts us to move beyond present challenges and be active participants in shaping a different reality. This involved mapping and place-making, and for others, an invitation to playfully explore sensory experiences.

Artist Alexandra Reinhardt experienced her own personal challenges, facing long-term illness and disability; she used her artistic practice to articulate, and at times, escape her physical and mental health. She described her making as a ‘creative frenzy’ - channeling her frustrations, ideas, and emotions. The four ARMA artist commissions have taken different approaches to the award.

At Oriel Davies, Nicky Arscott collaborated with children from refugee families from Syria, Afghanistan, and Kurdistan, creating inclusive gallery spaces that broke down barriers and fostered community integration.

At Fabrica, Dan Thompson collaborated with the crew club in East Brighton to create The Great Whitehawk, examining placemaking, identity, cartography and genre.

In Lincolnshire, at 2021-Visual Arts Centre, Tony Wade delivered workshops with young people to create a series of works responding to provocations around nutrition, bodily forms, play and empowerment.

At Dundee Contemporary Arts, SoundPlay Projects worked with students at Kings Park School in workshops with themes around inclusion, communication and sensory experiences.

This touring exhibition presents a selection of outcomes from these projects to initiate conversations around emotional wellbeing, whilst celebrating creativity as a powerful tool for nurturing resilience and aspiration in young people.

‘Make now, think later!’ is a touring exhibition produced as part of the Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Awards 2025-26. ARMA is a programme developed by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, to enable galleries, art museums and visual arts venues to support a dedicated programme of visual arts engagement and wellbeing activity with children or young people. The Awards were initiated and funded by the Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust.

Photo credit Sarah McNally