– HvH Arts Foundation –
by Marcella Martinelli | Millionair Magazine | Spring 2025
Debbi Clark is the passionate and dynamic founder of HvH Arts, a groundbreaking charity dedicated to empowering young people through the arts. With a background in photography and fashion from Central St. Martins and the London College of Printing, Debbi combines her creative vision with a strong commitment to making a difference. Through HvH Arts, she provides opportunities for vulnerable youth to discover their artistic potential, fostering confidence and self-expression.
Can you share more about the mission and impact of HVH Arts in supporting young artists?
HvH Arts is dedicated to empowering the next generation of young creatives by providing a gateway to the arts. Our free and inclusive programs are designed to eliminate financial and social barriers, inspiring children and young people to explore their creativity, develop their artistic passions, and pursue careers in the arts. Supporting young creatives is essential to fostering the future of the arts. In honour of our late, esteemed patron Helen McCrory OBE, we proudly present The McCrory Award, an initiative providing bursary funding, resources, and one-on-one mentoring to young people who need support to advance their artistic careers.
What creative programs and workshops do you currently offer young people?
At HvH Arts, we offer diverse creative programs and workshops for young people aged 5 to 21. Our sessions are led by professionals who provide high-quality training in various disciplines, including: Photography, Filmmaking, Music and Music Production, Fashion Design, Fine Art Illustration, Animation, Sculpture, and Drama. One of our flagship programs, The Music Mentoring Project, has been thriving for over four years. It has successfully supported participants aged 14 to 19 in creating a music documentary and releasing their EP, The Crimson.
How can young people get involved with HVH Arts, and are there any requirements for joining?
We welcome all young people aged 5 to 21 to join our creative programs. While there are no specific requirements to join, priority is given to those from low-income families to ensure they have access to our free programs, supporting their artistic journeys in the arts and media. To learn more and enroll for free, visit our website for course options or reach out via email at debbi@hvharts.org for any questions or inquiries.
Do you collaborate with professional artists or organizations to provide mentorship opportunities?
Absolutely! HvH Arts is proud to collaborate with esteemed artists and organisations to offer mentorship opportunities. We are fortunate to have the support of our patron, Damian Lewis, along with our board of ambassadors: Sadie Frost, Freddie Fox, Robert Mountford, Violetta, Sam Sure, Lo Lauren, Stella McCartney, and Marcella Martinelli. They actively support our young participants through masterclass workshops in acting, drama, film, music, fashion, and mentorship. We also partner with organisations like COMPANY3, which supports our work by providing young people with opportunities within the film industry, including editing two of our short films. Additionally, we are supported by the National Portrait Gallery and the V&A, which offer free workshops, curator talks, and exhibition access. Our exclusive event, The McCrory Award, receives generous support from Alon Zakaim Fine Art, providing bursaries, resources, and access to specialized arts workshops.
What are some success stories of young artists who have benefited from HVH Arts?
The impact of HvH Arts on young creatives has been remarkable. One standout success story is Giada, a talented young person with the incredible opportunity to work with fashion stylist Marcella Martinelli. This experience has significantly boosted her confidence, and she is now flourishing as an emerging fashion stylist.
Another inspiring example is Danny, a young drama student who participated in masterclass acting workshops with Freddie Fox and Robert Mountford, receiving mentorship in theatre acting and scriptwriting. His dedication and talent earned him a place at The Brit School last year. Our patron, Damian Lewis, actively supports our work through his time and invaluable advice to our CEO, Debbi Clark. His support has played a key role in helping HvH Arts reach over 1,024 unique children and young people over the past year.
HvH Arts is always looking for volunteers and support in fundraising. If you would like to contribute or get involved, please visit our website.
Source: Millionair E-Magazine