At Wonder Arts, we believe that magical artistic experiences have the power to change people’s lives. Our mission is to bring artistic experiences to children, young people and families, who rarely have the opportunity to engage with the arts, to create profound and positive life changing impacts.  

Wonder Arts(previously Citadel Arts Centre) is a children and families organisation operating exclusively in non-traditional spaces in St Helens & Wigan. We provide high quality arts experiences for children and family audiences who may not have the opportunity to engage; creating happiness and enjoyment for the whole family, contributing to people’s well-being and enhancing the life of local communities, children, young people and families.

Our Wonderful Story

In 2020, just as the world closed with the Covid lockdowns, we launched our Wonder Towns programme in St Helens.

Around every corner, in parks, and even in empty shops, local families have been finding themselves part of surprising world-class arts performances, just as they’re doing their weekly food shop, or looking for books in the library.

In 2026 we celebrated five transformative years of Wonder Arts, igniting creativity, forging connections, awakening imaginations, nurturing a lasting sense of wonder and proving engaging with arts in community spaces can make a positive impact on people’s lives and their communities.  

In the past five years we have: 

• Welcomed 21,500 audience members to our events and activities 

• Engaged 6,950 participants including school children and young people 

• Delivered 534 events and activities, including public performances and participatory sessions 

• Collaborated with 145 partners 

• Commissioned & supported 96 artists  

• Supported 21 volunteers  

From April 2026 we embark on a further two-year ACE NLPG grant to pilot expanding the Wonder Arts model of successfully delivering Wonder Towns to neighbouring Wigan in addition to St Helens.

Before we became Wonder Arts, we had a rich history in St Helens as Citadel Arts and at The Citadel Arts Centre.