Pyramid works with people with learning disabilities and autism in groups and one-to-one to discover, explore and enjoy the arts and to develop as artists to the full extent of their abilities and ambitions. We work with people with all levels of ability and have specialised sessions for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
At Pyramid, art means all art forms: painting, drawing, music, dance, theatre, film, photography, sculpture – anything our members want to try! Activities are run by a group of highly experienced freelance artists with collective expertise in all art forms. Pyramid groups are social. They are fun and members often stay for many years, forming long-term friendships, showing improved social skills, self-confidence and good mental health.



If our members want to become practising artists in their own right, we can support them with personal tuition in their chosen artform and in their professional development, for example, applying for arts funding, putting on solo exhibitions and sharing and selling their work online.
The creative work of both our groups and individual artists is shared publicly via our programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year, in high-profile venues and partnerships such as Leeds Art Gallery, Sunny Bank Mills and Leeds Song.
Ways to get involved
Pyramid Groups

Groups meet for two hours each week and are facilitated by two professional artists. People learn as they go, entirely at their own pace. Groups are great for people with learning disabilities and autism who have no previous art experience.
Individual Artist Support

Development Teams pair an artist with a learning disability and autism with a professional, practicing artist. This is great for people who are new to art but may need more support than a group setting or want to develop their creative practice further.
Flexible Studio Time

Flexible studio time is for people with learning disabilities and autism who would like to work on their creative projects independently in our fully equipped, accessible studio for up to four hours a week with the support of a studio facilitator.
Pyramid Groups
Discover Groups
Discover groups are open to people who may not have had any experience of participatory arts before. We don’t expect any prior knowledge and people learn as they go, entirely at their own pace. We do projects, not ‘courses’; there is no pressure to achieve a particular learning outcome and our measure of success is someone’s level of enjoyment and engagement with the arts, not the work that they produce

Our Discover programme is for people with mild-moderate learning disabilities. Each group meets for two hours once a week for 38 weeks per year, completing three projects over three terms. Every project is led by a professional freelance artist facilitator with expertise in the chosen artform (e.g. sculptor, dancer, film-maker) and a Pyramid core worker, who has been trained by us in inclusive arts practice. The core worker ensures every member is able to participate in sessions to the fullest of their ability. Groups are further supported by a team of trained arts volunteers.
In addition to coming to sessions at Pyramid, we arrange visits and exchanges with other cultural venues and organisations, both locally and further afield. There are many opportunities to engage with arts and culture in a supported and accessible way.
Cost: £27.02 per session
Current Groups
- Next Step PyramidThe Next Step Pyramid group meets on Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30pm. The group works across a variety of art forms.… Read more: Next Step Pyramid
- EdenThe Eden group meets on Thursday mornings, 10am to 12pm. The group predominantly focuses on visual art. The group have… Read more: Eden
- High Rise MusicThe High Rise Music group meets on Friday mornings, 10am – 12pm. This group is aimed at individuals with profound… Read more: High Rise Music
- RibbleheadThe Ribblehead group meets on Friday mornings, 10am – 12pm. The group likes to work in many art forms, particularly… Read more: Ribblehead
Individual Artist Support

Development Teams
Development Teams (or “D-Teams”) involve one artist with a learning disability working one-to-one with a professional artist. The format works well for people with a learning disability who have an interest or skill in a particular art form that they want to develop and for people with a learning disability who want to try creative activities but whose support needs are such that group work is not appropriate or possible for them.
The type and length of sessions are entirely tailored to the wants and needs of the individual and vary from one or two hours a week at home, to two or three full days a week at Pyramid. Using the D-Team format, members can work to develop their creative practice to the fullest extent of their abilities and their aspirations. This might include:
-Developing a website or artist portfolio
-Working with a professional artist to practice and develop a particular skill
-Taking part in exhibitions or performances as a solo artist
-Writing arts funding applications for project money or commissions
Cost: Bespoke (based on number of hours per week)
Meet some of our Development Team artists
- Good News Story: AlfieAlfie is a young artist with cerebral palsy who has attended Pyramid for Development Team sessions with a professional artist facilitator since… Read more: Good News Story: Alfie
- Good News Story: RiaRia is a multimedia artist with a learning disability and epilepsy. She first joined the Pyramid Youth Group in 2015 and now… Read more: Good News Story: Ria
- Good News Story: AlexanderAlexander is a young artist with autism who joined Pyramid at the end of 2023. He now spends two mornings a week… Read more: Good News Story: Alexander
Flexible Studio Time
Studio Pyramid
Studio Pyramid offers open sessions for members who would like more time to work on their creative projects. Members have access to our fully equipped, accessible studio space to work on independent projects, receive peer support, professional development sessions and exhibition opportunities.
Studio Pyramid currently runs on Wednesdays 10am to 2pm.

Cost: £45 per week
Studio Stories
- Studio Days Spotlight: Dan Bennet
Dan Bennet is a Pyramid artist who attends our studio days sessions and is also a long-running member of our Eden and Ribblehead groups. … Read more: Studio Days Spotlight: Dan Bennet - Studio Days Spotlight: James
James is a member of our Next Step and Visioning groups. He has been attending our Studio Days since it started in July 2024. James… Read more: Studio Days Spotlight: James - Studio Days Spotlight: Conor Van Der Wert
Conor Van Der Wert is a member of our Next Step group and has been attending our Studio Days since it started in July 2024.… Read more: Studio Days Spotlight: Conor Van Der Wert
Book your free trial
We offer a free trial for all our programmes to make sure it’s the right fit. Get in touch with us today to book a time to visit the studio and meet our Creative Programme Coordinator. We’ll discuss your needs to find which programme is right.
If you have any questions or would like to book your free trial, contact us on 0113 234 6040 or email us at info@pyramid.org.uk.










