a-n is pleased to announce a partnership with Artist Support Pledge, the not for profit company founded by Matthew Burrows that launched last year to help artists struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Artist Support Pledge is a global movement of connected communities, artists and makers committed to an equitable and sustainable economy. The multi-million-pound micro economy has provided an invaluable income stream for artists at a time when exhibitions and other creative freelance work was halted due to the pandemic. Using Instagram, artists and makers post images of their work with the hashtag #artistsupportpledge. Artworks are priced at no more than £200 and every time an artist reaches £1,000 of sales, they pledge to buy work from another artist.
With Artist Support Pledge celebrating its one year anniversary and a-n its 40th, both organisations are excited to begin a collaboration based on their closely aligned values in supporting artists and providing practical solutions to improving artists’ livelihoods. The partnership will bring together collective resources and expertise to evaluate the impact and support the future development of the #artistsupportpledge initiative.
Matthew Burrows, founder and director of Artist Support Pledge said:
“This has been an extraordinary year for artists and makers globally. From modest beginnings at a time of great uncertainty and worry, and fuelled by a culture of generosity, Artist Support Pledge has grown into a global micro economy and network for artists, and created new networks and buying opportunities for all.
It is with great pleasure I can today announce a new partnership with the nationally acclaimed membership organisation, a-n, who, over the ensuing weeks and months, will bring their expertise in nurturing artists, to help Artist support Pledge evolve and shape a new future for artists and makers. This partnership will give the movement much needed resource to formally evaluate the impact so far and explore the ways forward.”
Zarah Hussain, artist and a-n Board member said:
“I am so pleased to hear of the collaboration between a-n and ASP, both organisations put artists at the centre of the work that they do. Last year during the first lockdown, the Artist Support Pledge was a real lifeboat for me in the midst of a sea of uncertainty and anxiety. Making work for the pledge gave me something meaningful to do during the crisis and by selling and purchasing artworks I have met so many new artists and collectors.”
Last May, during the first stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, a-n spoke to Chantal Powell, artist and founder of the contemporary arts programme Hogchester Arts, about how Artist Support Pledge had helped her. She said: “The biggest thing has been connections with other artists that I was previously unaware of. It’s generated this real community vibe, more so than was already there…I’ve seen collectors buying off new artists because it’s in that affordable bracket. They can have a look and test of people they haven’t bought from before.”
Narbi Price, a past prize winner in the John Moores Painting Prize and winner of the Contemporary British Painting Prize 2017, explains the importance of the project: “Artist Support Pledge’s brilliance is in its simplicity. As an artist, it’s expanded my collector base considerably, and hugely increased my own art collection. Its focus on transparency, honesty and generosity in selling and buying art has empowered artists; it has the potential to permanently change the often clandestine culture of art collecting.”
What next? Help shape the future of Artist Support Pledge
Artist Support Pledge is carrying out its first survey and we are keen to understand the impact the initiative has had on our membership and the visual arts sector. If you have been a buyer, or seller using Artist Support Pledge, please take this opportunity to share your views.
15 minutes of your time will help shape a global movement, led by artists.
Complete by 5pm on Saturday 5 June 2021
Follow @anartistsinfo and @artistsupportpledge on Instagram for announcements.
