Arts Council England has shown its continued support for a-n The Artists Information Company by including it in its new list of 670 National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs), announced today. This secures regular funding for 2015-18.
a-n represents the interests and concerns of a wide cross section of visual artists at all career stages. Its mission is to stimulate and support contemporary visual arts practice and affirm the value of artists in society, working through partnerships to enable professional relationships and enhance creative collaborations across the arts.
Jayne Knight, Chair of a-n board said: “a-n has been working hard since December 2012 knowing that NPO funding from March 2015 wasn’t certain. We’ve consistently used public subsidy and earned income wisely, streamlining costs and bringing on timely new products and services.
“I am pleased to see the Arts Council recognising the significance of the work we do. National Portfolio Organisation funding will ensure membership costs remain affordable in these tricky financial times.”
a-n’s growing membership of 19,000+ artists, art students, arts professionals and cultural researchers continue to be actively involved in endorsing, shaping and contributing to the development of a-n.
Jeanie Scott, a-n Executive Director, said: “It’s our membership who make us the strong, resilient, responsive organisation we are – we put artists first in everything we do. This continued support from Arts Council England allows us to maintain the interactive platforms and activities we deliver directly for and with artists wherever they are.”
Emily Speed, artist, AIR Council and a-n board, said: “a-n’s success has been its continual reinvention, its ability to measure and respond to artists’ needs and concerns”
Julie McCalden, artist, said: “As an artist I have always felt that a-n is an organisation that cares – about art, about artists and about the arts ecology. It shows this through its values and actions and in the way that it puts artists first, listening and letting what is heard shape its actions. These values are mirrored within the organisation and this is what makes the approach so genuine.”
With a brand new website due to launch delivering a dramatically improved service, and the success of a-n and AIR’s Paying Artists Campaign, this is a positive time for the organisation. a-n will continue to provide professional programmes that are both timely and affordable, often working in partnership so costs are shared and benefits felt more widely.
