Welcome to Superstar Arts

About Us

Superstar Arts is a registered charity based in Worthing, West Sussex. We are committed to delivering high quality, meaningful creative projects for young people and adults with learning disabilities.

Please explore our website to get a feel for who we are, what we offer and how our projects could have a real, positive impact upon your life.

Our vision

Superstar Arts was founded in 2012 to create new and exciting opportunities for people with learning disabilities, at a time when services are going through a process of renewal and change. It is our mission to:

Deliver high quality, innovative artistic experiences for people with learning disabilities.

Create meaningful opportunities for people with learning disabilities to develop their own inspirational and unique ideas.

Encourage learning through experimentation, questioning and discovery, building confidence and self-esteem.

Enable people with learning disabilities to explore social and emotional issues in a positive, creative way.

Help people grow friendships, improve social skills and develop positive, productive relationships with the local community.

Promote the health, well-being and independence of people with learning disabilities.

Promote a positive image of adults with learning disabilities within the wider community.

Work with people irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion or political views.

Our founders

Superstar Arts was founded by Jo Telling and Jo Sullivan. They bring a wealth of academic and educational experience to their roles, creating and delivering the range of Superstar Arts projects.

Joanne Telling
Creative Manager/Co-Founder

BA Fine Art
(Bath College of Higher Education)
PGCE Art & Design
(University of Brighton)
MA in Museums & Gallery Education
(Institute of Education)

Jo has previously taught art in mainstream schools and worked in high support house for adults with learning disabilities, teaching a range of subjects to school leavers and adults with learning disabilities since 2000.

Jo has also previously worked in further education, teaching art, design, carnival costume making, photography and filmmaking, desktop publishing and creative IT to adults with learning disabilities. She also works freelance in the community delivering enterprise and creative learning opportunities at a local centre for people with learning disabilities.

Joanne Sullivan
CEO/Co-Founder

BA Professional Studies in Learning & Development (University of Brighton)
Certificate in Education
(University of Brighton)
Diploma in Holistic Therapies
(International Institute of Health & Holistic Therapies)

While studying for her Learning and Development degree, Jo specialised her research in therapeutic and creative approaches to learning for people with learning disabilities. As an independent outreach instructor, she has run freelance multi-sensory sessions for people with complex needs; using art, intensive interaction, massage therapy, music and aromatherapy.

Jo has previously worked in further education, course leading a programme for people with learning disabilities and teaching drama, art and community projects. This includes collaborations with mainstream art, music and theatre students, and organising fund-raising events in the local community.