FRAMEWORK: programme launched to support artists’ professional skills

Four of Manchester’s art and design organisations are collaborating on a new series of professional development sessions for artists.

FRAMEWORK will take place between July 2018 and March 2019, having been shaped and led by a-n, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester Craft & Design Centre and Redeye, the Photography Network.

Over the course of this nine-month period, four full-day sessions will hone in on specialist business skills that are essential to artists and small creative businesses.

The practicalities of business planning, online marketing, fundraising and communicating will be looked at with artists’ needs in mind. Sessions will take place alternately at Castlefield Gallery and Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

First up, creative producer and Clore cultural fellow Jenny Rutter will lead a day of Business Visioning on Thursday 12 July 2018. Taking place at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre, the session will look at how to develop a step-by-step action plan.

Later this year on Tuesday 2 October at Castlefield Gallery, freelance marketer Emma Gray will lead a session on Online Marketing. Focusing on getting noticed online and reaching a wider audience, subjects covered will include establishing ‘brand guidelines’, search engine optimisation (SEO) and an introduction to Google Analytics.

Moving into 2019, arts fundraising expert Steph Graham, who has worked for Arts Council England and as a fellow in the Barbican Centre’s development team, will share her wide knowledge in funding, crowdfunding and philanthropy with the Funding your practice session on Wednesday 27 February at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Completing the FRAMEWORK programme, on Tuesday 12 March Rivca Rubin will explore Communicating with Confidence. Held at Castlefield Gallery, this session will support participants in communicating in a range of settings, from interviews to studio visits, as well as looking at managing expectations and successfully communicating at all stages during a working relationship or collaboration.

“We’re delighted to been working in partnership with these three important Manchester arts organisations on FRAMEWORK,” said Hannah Pierce, a-n’s External Programmes and Partnerships Manager.

“Through this collaboration we are seeking to increase the range of professional development opportunities for artists in the North-West, equipping creative practitioners with vital skills to sustain their practice. We are particularly excited to be bringing artists, makers and photographers together for these sessions to encourage peer-to-peer learning and networking across disciplines.”

Ranging from £20-£25 for each session, the cost of the workshops are significantly subsidised by the four partner organisations, with discounts for members, associates, residents or affiliates of a-n, Castlefield Gallery, Redeye and Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Bookings and further details can be made at the FRAMEWORK eventbrite page.

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