About the community group/organisation/individual 

CS Art is an Invercargill-based visual art studio designed to provide an artistic outlet for people with disabilities. 

The studio opened in 2004 with four students, and now it three tutors work with about 40 students each term aged between 16 and 70 years of age. 

Students are able to experiment with a range of art medium, including painting, print making, collage and sculpture. 

The art classes help the students build their confidence, social cohesion, and self-expression. 

 What the grant went towards 

CS Art received a grant of $5000 from the ILT Foundation towards operational costs to continue to run art workshops for people with disabilities. 

 What the grant means to the community group/organisation 

“It means we can continue to offer a service that makes a big difference in so many lives,” CS Art co-founder Michelle Dawson said. 

“It’s inspiring to see people growing and developing because the work they do here builds their confidence and that in turn has an impact on their everyday lives.”