Rowan Arts was established in 2003 by Holloway residents Ruth Robinson, Claire Hegarty and Verity Spence. It grew out of the grass roots group Peter Pan Park Action Group.

Between 1999 and 2003, Peter Pan Park Action Group successfully raised over £300,000 to rebuild a local, decaying park. The Group organised and conducted over 40 events to engage and consult the local community in the development of the space. The park islocated within what was, and still is, one of Islington's poorest areas, Tollington Ward.

Peter Pan Park Action Group's work enabled a number of local women, previously inexperienced in this field, to galvanize the energy of several other local people and the new park was opened in 2003 as Landseer Gardens.

Ruth, Claire and Verity discovered that the process of engagement with the events left its own important legacy in the form of improved community relations and networks. They believed that this work should be continued and this was the impetus to set up Rowan Arts.

In 2005 Ruth received a Level 2 Award from UnLtd to develop Rowan Arts as a charity.