Finally, after waiting what feels like forever, the Open Space funding has appeared in the bank, so I’m (nearly) out of my overdraft!
It covers quite a few overheads, means that I’m being paid (AIR Activism is working!) and I can also use it as match funding for an ACE proposal. It’s a relief, I can tell you.
Last Tuesday I went for a consultation for an arts commission for a sort of street art commission. It was set up by local retail businesses, Lincoln BIG, but I felt as though there is at least some understanding of what artists expect from a commission, and as I was already aware of a particular piece of history that relates to the area, I have come up with a proposal for a piece of work. It still needs tweaking and finalising before the deadline mid March.
In the mean time, I’m due to go to London on Wednesday to meet a gallerist and see work by photographer Stian Andersen, who has photographed A-ha extensively, and has probably caught some shots of myself at gigs for all I know.
Vic Reeves had a show at the same gallery recently, and Bob Mortimer shared this link on twitter http://jimllpaintit.tumblr.com/
I suspect it’s Vic (real name Jim) and I notice more updates since I saw it yesterday :-)
After I posted in here, I finally received an email to follow up the Open Space funding. It seems I should receive that any time soon, which is a relief.
Finally, to achieve a small bit of success!
And I’m feeling a bit more relaxed to hear news that the evil workfare programme has been condemned as officially slave labour, and there are more challenges to the cuts occurring, so I don’t feel as though we’re all descending into an evil Orwellian nightmare and I’m bearing the brunt of it.
I’m still waiting to hear about the Open Space funding I applied for. I had hoped it would all be sorted mid January, but it hasn’t materialised, and I’ve heard no more about it. I was starting to get past my anxieties about making another ACE grant application, and was considering using this as match funding.
I’ve been busy updating my portfolio for my planned trip to London.
It’s been suggested that I become an hourly paid lecturer to earn some extra money, and support my practice. I have support for this.
On Tuesday I procrastinated too much and went to an artist’s talk by Kay-oi Jay Yung. Her work has similar theme to mine, and it was good to see what she’s doing. Gave me back a sense of positivity. It was lovely to meet her and see what she’s up to.
She invited me to her show in Blackpool, but this week I also heard news that Grandad had died, so we’re waiting to find out when the funeral is.
I must stress that I’m not a negative person by nature, but when I keep trying and getting nowhere, I end up turning into something that I’m not, and I don’t like that.
I remembered that I’m still waiting on some funding I applied for back in October, and that I’m doing everything I can, so I’m not being hard on myself.
Sophie Cullinan’s query about Arts Council funding – why don’t I apply?? I’ve applied several times, only to be rejected, and you know the phrase, once bitten, twice shy?? This is my career. This is my only chance to earn a livelihood. It’s the only thing I love doing and am good at doing. Everything else I’ve ever done as a compromise has always ended up as more of a failure than anything I ever do creatively. The shitty waitress job I had after college, where I met a man so abusive that I ended up becoming a single parent in the first place. “Go and get a real job”. If it means being forced to work in a menial job with people that I’d be better off having never encountered in my entire life, then I’ll stick with this one thanks. This is my real job. I put my heart and soul into it. So for those that should fund my proper job to deny me that chance just completely baffles me, and kind of reminds me of when my ex husband used to ask for money from me for things he didn’t need, and leaving us short for the bills. Financial abuse, it’s called, but no one seems to have done anything to stop it from happening. Arts Council funding is like a huge dangled carrot. Something that if I ever achieve would be a miracle. But I’m glad someone else has noticed what’s going on. This article expresses exactly my frustrations http://new.a-n.co.uk/news/single/let-them-eat-buildings
To the question of arts council funding I still ask: Why won’t anyone pay me to do my job(s)?
