It seems the hospital are having trouble negotiating with estates to have the walls painted, and had asked us for an outline of fees, without giving us an indication of available budgets, so I provided some example day rates as a guideline, but now questions are raised over whether their budget will cover it, so the project is on hold for the time being. If anyone has any advice about negotiating fees and organising similar projects, I’d really appreciate some help at this stage!!
For the time being, I am focussing my efforts into an upcoming presentation for a funding application for the LAN.
I’ve received ongoing support from a business mentor following on from previous work with Onlincolnshire with this.
I’m due to attend a consultation relating to apprenticeships in Manchester on Friday, and as travel costs are being re-imbursed, I have booked an earlier train, so that I can visit a few galleries, MadLab etc, so I’m finalising the presentation for Monday so I’m all prepared.
It’s crucial we get this funding at this stage, as we’ll then be able to use it as match funding for further funding (ACE grants etc) – so wish us luck!!
I’ve been sketching out ideas for the mural, testing them on lining paper in my studio and developing ideas further in preparation, along with organising the LAN.
We now have 6 artists and illustrators keen to work on the murals – some are pending DRB checks, which are being organised by the matron, and may take a few weeks to sort out.
We can’t start work on the murals until the walls have been painted, and the hospital have contractors to do that first, so we’re waiting for this. Plus many of the staff have kids off for the summer, so are on leave at various times anyway, which works out fine for me.
In other news, after several frustrating delays, I finally have a date for a presentation relating to an LAN funding application, which I need to prepare for early October.
In non-art news, in 2013-2014 I had to take time out of my practice, mainly due to lack of funding, to take care of my son, who had been kidnapped by a member of this family: http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2015/09/lincoln-benefits-cheat-jailed-after-stealing-26k-to-fund-heroin-addiction/
This was why I became so very frustrated at those that were still expecting me to work for free, at funding applications that were rejected, and was on the brink of giving up a career that was proving to be equally as abusive.
I’m very glad that proper opportunities are now working out, and I hope this will improve.
