It really saddened me yesterday to read that Artsmatrix has had to close down. I can’t emphasise enough how pivotal the organisation has been in enabling me to return to exibiting and working on a professional level. Over two years ago I signed myself up for a creative development session and, for a very small payment, one of their officers travelled some distance to spend two hours or so at a location convenient to my situation and effectively worked with me to focus what I wanted out of a future in art.
Emerging from the oblivion of 10 years raising four young children, the support, focus and encouragment that day gave me the boost I needed and I went ahead to apply for arts council support. Arts matrix kept in touch and guided me through my form, responding to my many questions (even from her bed when the officer was off ill with flu) and connecting me with other sources of support. During my last contact with my officer, at a recent conference, I was bemoaning my rather disorganised effort at combining family with the aims of my reasearch, wondering whether I merited the support at all but she quickly reasured me that I was making more than satisfactory progress and once again gave me the boost I needed. I have been recomending Artsmatrix to all and sundery ever since and feel their closure as a huge loss (among others) to the area.
Many key people have contributed to my development in the last few years but had that initial meeting been more expensive I doubt whether I could have gone, – had I had to travel long distances I may not have fitted it in with the children, – had Artsmatrix not existed, I wonder would anyone be reading this at all.
