Quick Takeaway
Looking for ideas for a collaborative art project? This is my collection of group painting activities, creative projects, murals, resources and inspiration from more than 60 community and school-based projects involving over 2,000 participants.
Browse the categories below to find ideas for your setting, age group, project type or creative goal. There are simple activities for beginners, inclusive projects for mixed-ability groups, school and family ideas, and larger collaborative artworks.
Browse the categories below to find projects and ideas for your group.
Explore Art Ideas by Theme
Accessible & Inclusive
Accessible Painting Ideas
Creative painting projects that are easy to follow and suitable for beginners and people with different abilities.
Inclusive Group Art
Collaborative projects designed so everyone can take part and contribute to the finished artwork.
Beginner-Friendly Art
Simple projects for people who are new to collaborative painting or want a relaxed place to start.
Creative Confidence Art
Collaborative art ideas that help people feel comfortable having a go, experiment without pressure and build confidence in their own creative abilities.
Age or Setting Specific
School Art Projects
Collaborative painting ideas for teachers and students, from shorter activities to larger murals.
Early Childhood Art
Simple, engaging projects designed specifically for young children to explore painting, patterns, and colours in an accessible way.
Family & Home Sessions
Collaborative art ideas for families, friends and small groups to try at home.
All-Ages Art Activities
Creative activities suitable for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, designed to be fun, simple, and inclusive.
Group & Collaborative
Group Painting Ideas
Ideas for collaborative painting in classrooms, workshops, community groups and family sessions.
Group Murals
Step-by-step small-scale mural projects designed for collaborative creativity with participants of all ages and abilities.
Step-by-Step Collaborative Art
Guided projects and approaches that make it easier to plan and lead a group artwork.
Team & Workplace Art
Creative icebreakers and mural-style projects that build teamwork and connection.
Resources & Inspiration
Colour Scheme Ideas
Inspire your group art with curated colour schemes that make pattern layering, painting, and mural projects fun and visually harmonious.
Art Printables
Downloadable, ready-to-use art resources to spark creativity in classrooms, home sessions, or group workshops.
Fun Group Art
Collaborative projects designed to bring people together, spark laughter, and celebrate creativity in a group setting.
Art for Wellbeing
Collaborative art ideas that create space to slow down, connect with others and enjoy making something together.
Art Podcast
Episodes from the Easy Collaborative Art podcast, sharing tips, inspiration, and insights about group and social art projects.
Why collaborative art?
Collaborative art gives people a reason to make something together. The process can be simple, social and accessible, while the finished artwork becomes something the group can look back on.
With Pattern Play, everyone can contribute without needing to be “good at art”. There’s no single right way to make the marks, and the artwork develops as people add to what others have already created.
Explore the ideas above, then find a project that suits your group.
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