How we started

The Scarlett Arts Society CIC was setup in 2023, in memory of our directors’ Grandfather Peter Scarlett. Peter was a world-renowned magician, who was the former President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a lifelong member of the Magic Circle, having been awarded the prestigious Silver Wand in 2009. Peter dedicated his life to entertaining, helping others and, in his later years, caring for his wife Ilona who had assisted him on stage for many years.

Peter sadly passed away on the 23rd of June 2018, but his legacy lives on through the Scarlett Arts Society.

Our mission

Support, champion and advocate for neurodiverse artists
Provide art workshops in schools, colleges and universities.
Provide wellbeing workshops to adults with learning disabilities.
Work with local community groups.
Work with charities to empower young people.
Provide paid artist. residencies.

In the longer term, we plan to acquire property to offer an artist retreat as well as provide free art therapy to those in need. There is a long waiting list for art therapy on the NHS, with some trusts not providing it at all. Going private is expensive and, therefore, not accessible to everyone. We aim to change that.

Our Commitment

By our very nature as a Community Interest Company, we are a non-profit organisation. All profits generated are reinvested back into the society to provide better opportunities, more workshops and larger funding for our resident artists.

As we continue to expand, we are committed to providing the best art therapy and workshops across the entirety of the United Kingdom.

Community Fund

With the cost of living crisis in full swing, we aim to provide subsidised services to those most in need.

Our founding director, Richard, is a professional photographer and we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for photographers for weddings, birthday parties and so on.

As part of our Community Fund, we aim to provide subsidised photographic services to those struggling financially – whether that be for a wedding, birthday party or funeral service. The subsidies are provided on a means-tested basis.

Our Certifications

Our Board

All members of our board volunteer their time and expertise to help shape the course of our work. They provide guidance on making our projects as accessible as possible for the communities we represent, and help ensure everything we do is fair, inclusive and grounded in strong, ethical and sustainable artistic practice.

Richard Mead

Richard is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, Membership Ambassador for The Guild of Professional Photographers, and a member of the Disabled Photographers’ Society. He currently works as a Business Engagement Officer for an NGO partnering with the Mayor of London’s Office to help reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Alongside this, Richard is an Associate Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University and serves as Safeguarding Officer for an LGBTQIA+ non-profit. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of the Arts London and is committed to empowering and advocating for others.

Founding Director and Safeguarding Officer

Joshua Bowden

Bio coming soon

Director

Mental Health Officer

Caroline Horne

Bio coming soon

Neal Haddaway is an environmental photographer and researcher from the UK. He has a PhD in conservation biology and has spent 15 years conducting research in environmental science in the science-policy interface. After a 20-year career in academia, he became frustrated by the gap between science and the public, and turned his attention to photography as a medium for societal change.

His photographic practice is anchored in deep foundations of research and evidence, and explores the role that contemporary human society plays in the destruction of nature, and the emotional toll caused by a scientific awareness of the impending planetary crises. The project “Hope? and how to grieve for the planet” explores the emotions experienced by environmental scientists in the face of a dying planet and was selected for solo exhibitions at the UN Stockholm50+ conference (June 2022) and at the Royal Geographical Society (June 2023). His images have been shortlisted and exhibited for the EarthPhoto Prize in 2023 and 2025. He has been selected into the Magma Environmental Reporting Fellowship of 2025/26.

Sustainability Officer