What Is Art? is a Herbert project working with young people Looked After by Coventry City Council. It aims to introduce them to the work of different artists and to give them opportunities to experiment with a range of materials and techniques.

What Is Art? began in January 2005, working with small numbers of 12-16 year olds in residential care at The Grange and Wisteria Lodge. A programme of workshops was planned and led by artist Mona-Lisa Cooke and over several weeks the young people had the chance to work with many different media. The activities helped them to develop their artistic and social skills and boosted their confidence.

This phase of the project ended in an exhibition held at The Herbert in summer 2005. Several works of the 22 hung were sold and the exhibition attracted a lot of positive comments from visitors. It also resulted in a commission to create more paintings for the planned new reception area of Coventry City Council's Children's Reviewing and Registration Service.

The second phase of the project took place in 2006. Young people from The Grange and Wisteria Lodge were again involved. They created more paintings and worked with digital artists to produce a series of quirky short films exploring their lives and surroundings.

For further information about the project, call Alison Taylor on 024 7629 4785 or email alison.taylor@theherbert.org