Arts and cultural funding bids can be highly complex and time consuming. I have extensive experience of assessing and developing cultural & creative projects and organisations. I have been an independent consultant for over 12 years. I offer a host of client services to both organisations and creative individuals.
You are the best person to develop and write about your organisation and project. I can't make it up, but I can work with you to ensure you have the best opportunity to meet a funders aims and objectives. I offer a "critical friend" reading service where I will look over your application and discuss with you ways you can strengthen and improve it.
Whilst working for Arts Council England I amassed over 15 years' experience of working with the country's top arts venues, facilitating and soliciting strategic programmes and assessing projects. I am a well-respected creative and cultural advocate, delivering strategic arts projects and utilising extensive regional, national and international contacts and networks. I have secured Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding equating to £3million, including supporting Bamboozle Theatre to get a 50% uplift. I have facilitated development days, individual mentoring and have devised and delivered lectures and workshops on cultural development and fundraising.
What I can do for you
I offer a host of client services to both organisations and creative individuals. I offer expertise and can support/mentor you in these areas.
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Provide access support to submit Arts Council Project / Developing Your Creative Practice grants and guide you through the NPO process
I am a freelance support worker providing support for people applying to Arts Council England. I trained in counselling some time ago now, but the desire to listen and support has always been strong. I recently worked on a research project and paper 'Meet Me Where I Am' that documented three neuro-different and dyslexic dancers' journeys to try and navigate the arts funding system.
Arts Council England will consider paying for an access support worker to support anyone who feels that they need it. It could be because you identify as neuro-different, dyslexic, have anxieties about form filling, are struggling with the process and the effect it is having on your mental health. There is a very simple form to fill in and the Arts Council usually process your request within 5 working days. If you think you need and might qualify for Access Support click here for the form and examples of what you will need to provide.
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Report writing - Fundraising Strategies, Forward Planning, Cultural Tourism and Heritage
I have independently and with partners worked on providing expertise in Cultural Quarter development, Arts & Cultural Fundraising Strategies, Business Planning for creative and cultural organisations and how to work with artists to increase Cultural & Wildlife Tourism.
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Delivering training and workshops
I have produced a series of workshops covering topics such as "Are you funding ready?" and "Demystifying Arts Council funding". I regularly deliver lectures for the Royal College of Art and the Leeds Conservatoire. I can put together a day or half day that includes a presentation and mini surgeries to support a number of creatives who may want to start with some basic information to ascertain if they are funding ready.
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Provide organisational development focusing on strategic direction and where and how to pitch
I have recently helped a number of organisations looking for new avenues for funding. Including MBD (who bring stories to life through art and new technologies), the Spark Arts for Children and De Montfort University.
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Associate consultant with Browne Consultancy
Working with monitoring and evaluation frameworks, I provided the arts and heritage specialism to complement their environmental expertise.
Clients I have supported
- Royal College of Art
- Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
- New Art Exchange / Real Creative Futures
- De Montfort University
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Winter Funk (in partnership with Aakash Odedra Company) - Future Makers
- Aakash Odedra Dance Company
- Design Nation
- Mercury Creatives
- London Turkish Speaking Theatre Festival
- The Auxiliary
- No Jobs in the Arts
- Middlesbrough Art Weekender
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Bamboozle Theatre - The Carousel
- Furthest From the Sea
- Matt McGuinness & the MLC
- Michael Forbes - Individual Artist
- UK New Artists
- Market Harborough District Council
- Leicestershire Promotions
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Wild Rumpus (board member) - Cotesbach Educational Trust
- Arts For Rutland
- Oakham Town Council
- Arts Fresco
- Creative Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire County Council and Renaissance East Midlands
- Persona Arts
- MBD
- Leeds Conservatoire
- In Place of War
- Beat Productions
- Rashida Art
- Make Sense Theatre
- Fund My Venture
Testimonials
"It has given me confidence in moving forward and developing my work."
"I think what I learned from the session will help me take my business idea forward."
"I am writing to let you know that I got the 'Developing your Creative Practice' funding, thank you so so so much for your help and your support."
"Tina has the ability to bring a project to life, a way with words that inspires. Her vast experience was invaluable."