Arts organisations launch new funding streams for region’s artists

Greater Manchester Artist Hub has opened two new funding opportunities to support independent artists and creative freelancers across the region.

GM Artist Hub was formed by 13 leading arts organisations across Greater Manchester to help independent artists access support, advice and opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Revive Fund and Reboot Fund will offer both financial and peer support in response to conversations with the region’s creative community over the past six months.

The Revive Fund offers a £500 hardship bursary plus peer networking support and a one-to-one advice session with the GM Artist Hub for the most financially vulnerable members of the region’s creative community.

Since its launch the GM Artist Hub have spoken to many creative freelancers who are in urgent need of financial support, having being excluded from the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and ineligible or unsuccessful in applying for Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund.

Offering support and solidarity, Revive Fund bursaries will be awarded to 10 creative freelancers selected at random from eligible applications.

Chloe Courtney, Health and Science Producer of Contact, said: “The Revive Fund is for creative freelancers - artists, producers, technicians, designers, facilitators - who are facing financial hardship and have been unable to access other avenues of support.

"We’ve seen how vital freelancer grants and support schemes have been across the UK.

"The Revive Fund is part of that landscape, targeted at helping freelancers in Greater Manchester who are still falling through the gaps, and Contact are very glad to be involved.”

The Reboot Fund offers grants of £1,500 to support the development of a new piece of performance-based work for a live-space or a digital platform over a three-month period. 

Drawing on the strengths of the 13 organisations that make up GM Artist Hub, the fund also offers dedicated time and support for early career artists to undertake research and development of a new creative idea, with a sharing event for an invited audience at the end of the three-month period. 

There are eight Reboot Fund grants available, with applications now open.

Antonia Beck, Associate Producer of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: “Reboot is a peer-supported, artist development fund which will offer time, money and support to eight early career artists, creatives or companies who are looking to develop initial ideas for a new performance-based work.

"We recognise that more support is needed for those artists who are at the very early stages of their careers, and we are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for emerging artists to develop new work at this time.”  

Since its formation in April 2020, GM Artist Hub has offered over 300 private advice sessions to local artists and a number of larger opportunities for artists to learn about specific funding streams and connect with chief executives and artistic directors across the region.

The Revive Fund and Reboot Fund have been made possible with thanks to a £60,000 grant from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.   

Participating venues and arts organisations are: Community Arts North West, Contact, HOME, The Lowry, Manchester International Festival, Octagon Theatre Bolton, the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Royal Exchange Theatre, SICK! Festival, STUN (Sustained Theatre Up North), Waterside Arts and Creative Industries Trafford, hÅb/Word of Warning and Z-arts.

Further opportunities will be announced in due course.

For more information about GM Artist Hub and the Revive and Reboot Funds, visit: www.gm-artisthub.co.uk

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