What if (Community) Limited – (Charity No. 1111016) is an inclusive arts project committed to engaging and stimulating the local arts community through innovative and well-considered ideas. It supports artists and creative practitioners across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to visual arts, textiles, art history and literature. We aim to:

• Develop community arts projects that enhance cultural engagement and social well-being.
• Organise and secure funding for arts-based events that contribute to local cultural life.
• Support the professional development of local artists.
• Advocate for the role of the arts in urban planning and local policy-making.
• Collaborate with other arts organisations to strengthen the regional creative ecosystem.

Celebrating 20 Years of What If? Community Art

2025 marked an extraordinary milestone for What If? Community Art — our 20th anniversary.

What began as a small, hopeful idea has grown into two decades of creativity, connection, and shared experiences that have helped shape Dartford’s cultural life. Over the years, What If? has brought together artists, volunteers and community members of all ages and abilities, creating welcoming spaces where creativity can flourish.

Along the way, we have been supported by many remarkable people who helped turn a simple idea into a thriving community organisation. Among them are long-standing supporters such as Reverend Chris Stone, former Chair of Trustees; Vic Heffer, who has been involved from the very beginning; Anne Graves, whose tireless volunteering helped shape our gallery and exhibition space; Dartford artist Richard Slater; and Elly Elcomb, who connected our work with the Kent Association for the Blind through her passion for both community and the arts.

Volunteers at the Heart of What If?

Volunteers have always been the backbone of What If?.

Today, a new generation of trustees and volunteer artists — Mandy Johnson, Maxine Bullen, Judy Cook and Claire Beazley-Mungovan — continue to carry the organisation forward. Their dedication and energy keep everything running behind the scenes.

We also remember with gratitude several early volunteers who are sadly no longer with us: Chris and Sue Knight, Peter Shurmer and Ray Marshall. Their kindness, generosity and commitment helped shape the organisation we are today.

There are many others whose names may not appear here, but whose contributions remain an important part of our story.

The Vision Behind What If? — Ruth Howard

At the heart of What If? Community Art is its founder, Ruth Howard.

From the very beginning, Ruth’s creativity, leadership and determination have been the driving force behind the organisation. She imagined a welcoming, affordable space where anyone could explore art, exhibit their work and build confidence through creativity.

For twenty years, Ruth has brought people together, encouraged artists of all abilities and created opportunities where none existed before. Her commitment — often through countless hours of unseen work — has helped shape What If? into the inclusive community arts organisation it is today.

Quite simply, without Ruth, What If? would not exist.

How It All Began

The idea for What If? started modestly. The original plan was for a low-cost arts hub that might last six weeks — perhaps six months at most.

When Tesco agreed to rent us a shop on Dartford High Street, the project suddenly became possible. With help from Peter Harper and a dedicated team of volunteers, our gallery opened its doors and quickly became a vibrant creative hub.

Workshops soon followed, including the much-loved Tuesday watercolour sessions, which continue to run today.

Behind the scenes, running a community arts organisation involved far more work than most people realised — managing finances, insurance, audits, charity compliance, health and safety, tenancy agreements, and maintaining our website and social media. Thanks to the strong foundations built during those early years, we are now able to offer many of our workshops free of charge.

When the Journey Changed

In 2019, our gallery lease came to an end — just before the Covid pandemic changed life for everyone.

Although losing the space was difficult, it may ultimately have protected the organisation from the financial pressures many venues faced during those years.

The memories from our gallery days remain incredibly special:

Santa’s Grotto bringing laughter to families Pop-up shops at Bluewater The Silk River project that led to an unforgettable trip to India The day the Tour de France passed through Dartford, when we served free tea and coffee to crowds of visitors — the busiest day our gallery ever saw

Our space welcomed an incredible mix of people: emerging artists holding their first exhibitions, students, photographers launching community projects, Brownies, adults with learning disabilities, under-5s groups, registered blind artists, knitters, silk painters, oil painters, framers, amateur artists and even London street artists.

Above all, it was a place full of creativity, community — and a lot of fun.

A Creative Legacy

Over the years, What If? became far more than a gallery.

It became a place where people could discover creativity, build confidence and form lasting friendships. Artists young and old were able to exhibit their work, experiment with new ideas and grow their skills in an encouraging environment.

The dream of a permanent arts hub in Dartford — perhaps in a beautiful space such as Acacia Hall — remains something we still hope to see one day.

Looking Ahead

Although we no longer have a permanent gallery, What If? continues to thrive.

Today, we run regular workshops at The Meeting Place in the Orchards Centre, and we are developing partnerships with other venues such as The Exchange in Erith. We are also exploring pop-up events and collaborative projects to reach new artist communities.

As we look to the future, our goal remains the same as it was twenty years ago – to nurture creativity, build confidence and bring people together through art.