Since 2004, Project Onward has become a leader in the field of disability arts for its innovative blend of accuracy, artistic excellence and social engagement. Our mission requires us to provide artists with developmental disabilities and mental illness the opportunity to create artwork in a safe, supportive studio environment, with access to work space, materials, and professional guidance without being encumbered by cost. We connect our artists with the arts community and the general public, by holding professional exhibitions and selling their work for which they receive 50% of pre-tax proceeds. Additionally, public programs have been designed that promote audience participation. We inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of developmental disabilities and mental illness. We seek to improve the self image of our artists by emphasizing the social and economic value of their work. This will cultivate new audiences in the art market by increasing awareness of, and generating demand for artwork created by people with disabilities.

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In 2013, Project Onward was incorporated as a 501(c)3  and resides in the Bridgeport Art Center in order to best serve its community of artists. In 2021, Project Onward expanded to include a Ceramics Studio. In addition to ceramics, our artists create visual art utilizing paint, markers, pen, and found objects in the form of abstract, contemporary, portrait, sculpture, and fibers.