New Art Exchange Receives Major Funding Award to Tackle Racial…

The Freelands Foundation has announced £1.27m in grants to Iniva, New Art Exchange in Nottingham and Create London, the first round of a total commitment of £3m and the first step in a bold new plan of action by the Foundation to address the issue of racial inequality in the visual arts. The Freelands Foundation’s ambition is to give everyone, regardless of background or location, access to art education in the belief that it raises their aspirations and transforms their opportunities in life. Additionally, the Foundation has pledged to commit 15% of all future grants to initiatives with specific targets to promote the involvement of Black and ethnic minorities in the visual arts.

New Art Exchange will receive £500k over three years to draw on the legacy of community activism in Nottingham to launch the innovative ‘Power to Change’ programme, working with young people and adults to support community empowerment and talent development. Its intergenerational, participant-led approach will offer a vital resource for individuals facing various forms of social and economic disadvantage in the area. NAE's programme includes ‘Breaking Barriers: Forging Futures’, which sees NAE partner with 12 local schools to develop life-enhancing opportunities and tolerant, respectful and anti-racist young people; ‘All Black Connect’, a young people’s talent development ecosystem that centres underrepresented creatives in the city, and the ‘Here We Are’ community outreach programme, which will be sited in the city’s open spaces to reach the most isolated groups.

“"Power to Change’ will trigger life-enhancing opportunities for black, minority ethic and other marginalised individuals and communities in Nottingham. This grant will enable us, through art and creative practice, to amplify lesser heard voices and empower individuals as change-makers in their own communities and wider society. Importantly, it responds to the lack of diversity within the UK art sector, and will help launch and accelerate the careers of a wide range of culturally diverse artists and creatives, as well as arts professionals ."”

Melanie Kidd, Director of Programmes, New Art Exchange

For more information see www.freelandsfoundation.co.uk/commitment-first-grants