An autism charity’s first-ever art auction has now gone virtual in a bid to raise further funds for a UK-first Performing Arts Centre.

In a first for Berkshire-based Prior’s Court, an art auction was held on its site in July with pieces of work available to purchase made by artists from across Berkshire and items produced by the autistic young people with complex needs at Prior’s Court.

With the unsold items remaining open for silent auction-style bids until Thursday, 19 September, Prior’s Court has now launched a virtual art exhibition for potential bidders to explore. Pieces are available from as little as £15.

The virtual exhibition can be seen at www.priorscourt.org.uk/artsteps and bids can be made via www.priorscourt.org.uk/bid.

The virtual exhibition can be explored on laptops, devices and phones but also through the use of virtual reality equipment to get a true immersive feel.

The in-person event on Friday, 12 July raised £1,774, which went towards the charity’s Performing Arts Centre appeal – which will create the UK’s first bespoke performing arts space built for the needs of autistic young people with complex needs.

Natale Norris, Prior’s Court Fundraising Manager, said:

“The in-person event was such a fantastic evening as it brought together the young people supported at Prior’s Court and established artists from across Berkshire.

“For those people who couldn’t make the event, we wanted to try to recreate it by launching this virtual exhibition to allow guests to feel as if they are exploring an exhibition.”

Alternatively to viewing the virtual exhibition, view a catalogue of the unsold items and make bids, see: https://priorscourt.pagetiger.com/art-auction/artwork-brochure.

The catalogue and virtual exhibition will be updated with bids as they come in to help inform any further bids. The deadline for bids or offers for sale items is 11.59pm on Thursday, 19 September.

The Performing Arts Centre appeal is close to reaching its £1.1m fundraising target with construction already underway.

Prior’s Court’s Performing Arts Centre will feature adapted facilities to support autistic young people with complex needs to access opportunities in music, dance and drama and the life-enriching benefits this provides.

Autistic individuals face many barriers to accessing the arts – from light and noise sensitivities to understanding of social rules – and one aim of the centre is to mimic theatre environments to prepare young people to access arts venues in the community successfully. This is in addition to having the opportunity day-to-day to express themselves creatively in a dedicated, bespoke space.

To find out more about the Performing Arts Centre appeal, please visit: www.priorscourt.org.uk/PAC.