AIR

A survey of participants in AIRTIME events run between February and June has revealed their value to both artists and students and also indicates what kinds of support artists looking for now.

AIRTIME events were developed by the AIR Artists Advisory Group during 2008 in anticipation of the impact economic recession would have on artists and their livelihoods. The AIRTIME programme provides a stimulating environment for artists to gain information and tips from artists, arts organisations and other experts on professional matters, alongside opportunities to meet and network with like-minded artists. They offer a route for final-year art and design students to join into artists’ professional networks as part of helping transition to professional artist.

Events are low budget because they are organised in partnership with regional bodies and universities and draw together a self-selecting medley of local, regional and national organisations. They are free to artists and students attending and have not received any funding or financial support.

AIRTIME events provide a busy, fast-paced, interactive environment designed to demonstrate how artists need to utilise networks and contacts to develop their knowledge and career.

The survey of participants to date was timed to influence planning for the Autumn AIRTIME events series, that will include touring to Birmingham, Brighton, Cumbria, Norwich, North East England and Nottingham.

From a 17% return, there's a clear signal that the 2-hour AIRTIME speed information and networking experience fills a gap in existing support and engagement for artists, with 88% finding it useful in developing their practice and 92% willing to recommend AIRTIME to others.

Reviewing the survey, AIRTIME Project manager and AIR member Ed Adam said he was struck by: "the need for bespoke support, particularly business support, critique of work and support in fundraising for a particular project - artists are looking for support that will target the specific nature of their practices". In terms of next needs, business support was rated as very important at 83% by Swansea artists (the highest percentage for this of all AIRTIME locations), which can be fed back to g39's WARP programme organisers. 63% of London artists were looking for training needs analysis - quite different from responses in other cities.

AIRTIME will be feeding back to universities who have partnered on events that students attending felt they were not getting the information/support they needed from their tutors/career counselors.

Whilst DACS and fundraising were very popular topic tables overall, London artists seemed to appreciate the opportunity to meet with galleries including Iniva, Pump House and MattRoberts Arts.

Look out for the Autumn AIRTIME events programme through announcements on this site.

First published: a-n.co.uk July 2009