
We’re Developing an access fund!
You can fill in the form to share your thoughts on our plan by clicking the button below
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Influence our process 〰️ Get involved 〰️ Have Your say 〰️
Our Access fund.
Our Access Fund for Artists is an initiative designed to provide sustainable support and free memberships to marginalised and economically disadvantaged artists. The fund aims to improve their access to opportunities, foster career development, and enhance their professional visibility.
We want to develop and promote opportunities tailored for individuals who need them the most, ensuring no artist is left behind due to financial constraints or lack of resources. The Fund will support the professional growth of artists by not just providing free memberships to Starving Artists but also educational resources, workshops, and mentorship programs.
We have found that often Access Funds can be confusing, ambiguous and ultimately inaccessible. We want to co-create this Access Fund in collaboration with an artist focus group in order to truly make the application process accessible.
This is a new stage in our development as an organisation and we’re really determined to being people with us and co-design this fund with the people it’s for so it actually addresses your needs as Artists.
This has only been made possible because of all the fantastic Artists that have already joined us as Members and continue to do so. You give us the security and stability to go forward, take the time to apply for some funding and open up our membership to even more Artists - including those that would otherwise be unable to afford it.
Our Objectives:
Sustainable Support and Memberships: This project is an opportunity to establish a reliable framework for an Access Fund. We aim to offer continuous support and free memberships to marginalised and economically disadvantaged artists, ensuring their long-term inclusion in the arts community. Our focus is to identify and assist artists who often fall through the cracks in traditional support systems.
Transparency and Access: We want to increase transparency in the process of accessing opportunities, making it easier for artists to navigate and utilise available resources.
An Authentic Understanding of Needs: Developing the fund in collaboration with artist focus groups. will allow us to hear directly from artists about their specific challenges and barriers. We want to ensure that the fund addresses real, rather than perceived, needs. By involving diverse voices in the development process, the fund that we develop will be inclusive and representative of the community it aims to serve. This helps prevent the creation of one-size-fits-all solutions that may not work for everyone and are often the issue with most Access Funds.
Leading by Example: We want the Access Fund to set a standard for exceptional, accessible opportunities for artists. This initiative will serve as a model for all future programs, showcasing our commitment to inclusivity and support.
the Team
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Natasha Joseph
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR & FUNDRAISING LEAD
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CONOR RUSH
FOUNDER & CEO
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FEN AMARASINGHE
RESEARCH LEAD & PROJECT SUPPORT
Are you an organisation that wants to get involved?
We feel cultural and arts organisations can play a pivotal role in supporting the development of the Access Fund for Artists to make this access fund impactful and sustainable, ultimately creating a more inclusive and vibrant arts community. We would love to collaborate with you and here are a few ways you can get involved!!
get involved as an organisation!
Expertise and Guidance:
Advisory Roles & Best Practices: Provide expert advice on structuring the fund, creating fair application processes, and designing impactful support programs. Share successful models and case studies from your own experiences with similar initiatives.
Promotion and Outreach:
Marketing Support & Network Access: Help promote the Access Fund through your channels, including websites, newsletters, and social media platforms. Provide access to your networks of artists, curators, and educators to ensure diverse participation in the focus groups and the application process.
Educational Resources:
Mentorship Programs: Develop mentorship opportunities where established artists and practitioners from your organisation are paired with a successful grantee. They can guide and support emerging artists participating in the Access Fund over a 1 year period. This support could include advice on applications, portfolio development, and other skills that can help artists successfully apply for and benefit from the fund.
Financial Contributions
Sponsoring Memberships: Provide the funding to sponsor memberships for artists in the demographics you exist to serve. We’d be really happy to work with you to ring-fence certain memberships for your specific marginalised demographic.
Evaluation and Feedback:
Participatory Evaluation : Participate in the evaluation of the fund’s impact and effectiveness, providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Collaborative Partnership
Got your own ideas: We’re still in the developmental stages of this project and are just as keen to hear from the artists we wish to help as we are from the organisations that might want to get involved! If we’ve missed anything or you can think of other ways you’d like to play a part in what we’re doing please do let us know!
Contact us.
If you’ve been inspired by what you read above and want to chat more about how your organisation can get involved please use the form here to send us a message, we’d love to hear from you and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have or arrange a call to talk more.