This New Ground

15/06/2026

“Even though we have a learning disability I feel we are all artists in our own way with all our different types of backgrounds and whatever art techniques we use. I feel we should be respected and valued as a person and be treated as you all want to be treated.

Over all the trip and experience I had has been amazing I would say I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself through this trip I’ve grown more confident, learned new skills but also made amazing memories to look back on many years to come it’s been the best experience I’ve had and hoping to do more in the future.”

- Emma

On the first day of Mencap Emma reflects on our trip to Cologne last week and the impact working with artists from Germany had on her confidence, and the importance of being seen, heard and valued as an artist with a learning disability.



This project is funded by
Arts Council England
Arts Council Northern Ireland
British Council
Creative Scotland
Fonds Soziokultur e.V.
Goethe-Institut London

14/06/2026

“I believe disability rights are human rights and having a disability where ever your background is you shouldn’t stop what you love.

The trip to Cologne was such an amazing experience and so grateful for everything the trip will be up there as one of the best experiences I’ve had.

Thank you for all the great experiences from the laughs and the memories we shared on this trip couldn’t be more proud and thankful”

- Cam



This project is funded by
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11/06/2026

We had a fabulous Day 4 of our trip, filled with creativity, culture, and crêpes!

This morning, we continued our creative workshop at , designing symbols to communicate with one another without words.

After a delicious homemade lunch, we took the train to Ehrenfeld Mosque, where we participated in a fascinating Museum in a Box workshop. The mobile exhibition format encourages hands-on exploration and community dialogue around values, identity, and social cohesion. Cam and Emma each left behind a mini personal museum exhibit sharing their values and beliefs. 🥰

We rounded off the day with a lovely evening stroll through the neighbourhood, followed by a delicious crêpe dinner.

We can’t believe tomorrow is our last day! 🇩🇪❤️

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Wir haben den vierten Tag unserer Reise in vollen Zügen genossen – voller Kreativität, Kultur und Crêpes!

Heute Morgen haben wir unseren Kreativ-Workshop bei fortgesetzt und Symbole entworfen, um ohne Worte miteinander zu kommunizieren.

Nach einem leckeren, selbstgemachten Mittagessen fuhren wir mit der Bahn zur Ehrenfeld-Moschee. Dort nahmen wir an einem faszinierenden „Museum in a Box“-Workshop teil. Dieses mobile Ausstellungsformat lädt dazu ein, Themen wie Werte, Identität und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt aktiv zu erkunden und sich darüber auszutauschen. Cam und Emma hinterließen ein kleines, persönliches Museumsexponat, das ihre Werte und Überzeugungen widerspiegelt. 🥰

Den Tag ließen wir mit einem schönen Abendspaziergang durch das Viertel und einem leckeren Crêpe-Essen ausklingen.

Wir können kaum glauben, dass morgen schon unser letzter Tag ist! 🇩🇪❤️

10/06/2026

08/06/2026

Today we’re so excited to be headed to Cologne to meet the amazing artists from - thanks to

TNG’s Lucy and Nathalie are taking part in a week long residency with TNG artists Emma and Cam. We’ll keep you updated on our journey here!

Shared Lines is a new international partnership between This New Ground (UK) and kaethe:k Kunsthaus (Germany) , connecting artists with a learning disability across Portsmouth, London and Cologne. Through two residencies in 2026, we’ll explore visual-first, non-verbal creative collaboration - testing new ways of working across language, culture and different models of inclusive practice.
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Köln über für unser Projekt „Shared Lines“!

Lucy und Nathalie von TNG nehmen an einer einwöchigen Residency mit den TNG-Künstler*innen Emma und Cam teil. Wir halten euch hier über unsere Erfahrungen auf dem Laufenden!

„Shared Lines“ ist eine neue internationale Partnerschaft zwischen This New Ground (UK) und dem kaethe:k Kunsthaus (Deutschland) , die Künstler*innen mit Lernschwierigkeiten in Portsmouth, London und Köln vernetzt. In zwei Residenzen im Jahr 2026 erforschen wir visuelle, nonverbale kreative Zusammenarbeit und erproben neue Arbeitsweisen, die Sprachbarrieren, kulturelle Unterschiede und verschiedene Modelle inklusiver Praxis überwinden.

This project is funded by